NATIONAL PARLIAMENT OF
DAILY HANSARD
THIRD MEETING – EIGHTH SESSION
The Deputy Speaker, Sir Allan
Kemakeza took the Chair at
Prayers.
ATTENDANCE
At prayers, all were present with the exception of the
Ministers for Department of Education & Human Resources and the Members for
West Guadalcanal, North West
QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
Question
No.24 deferred
BILLS
Bills - Committee of Supply
The 2007 Appropriation Bill 2007
Head 276: Ministry of Health and Medical Services
Hon Rini: Mr Chairman,
code 1010 – civil service salaries on page 134.
According to the budget this is reduced by $662,878. But when I looked at the establishment there
was an increase. Can the Minister
explain why there was a reduction in the budget on the actual amount and an
increase in the establishment?
Hon Soalaoi; Mr Chairman, you will see a decrease in the allocation
for civil service salaries due to existing vacancies not included. There are vacancies existed in the past which
is reflected in the large allocation in the past year.
Mr Rini: Mr Chairman,
on the same page 134 - code 2071 – tours and travel, there is also a reduction
here. Will the Ministry reduce its tours
to provinces?
Hon Soalaoi: Mr Chairman,
the decrease in allocation for tours and travel is because most visits and
tours do now come under projects.
Mr Tozaka: Mr Chairman,
the same page, code 2070 and 2071, which deals with traveling and
transport. Should they not come
together?
Hon Soalaoi: Mr Chairman,
the difference between these two is that travel includes the annual leave of
our staff at the headquarters.
Mr Hilly: Last item
AusAID Swap Funding. What is that on
code 6422, the last one?
Hon Soalaoi: Mr Chairman,
the Swap Funding is a new mechanism that will be used by the Ministry, the AusAid
and the World Bank to put funding through.
SWAP simply stands for Sector Wide Approach. Currently we are still
using the HSTA. That reflects support we
are receiving from AusAID.
Mr Hilly: Mr Chairman,
can the Minister tell us as the reasons for the SWAP. What is this particular funding and why did
you come up with this idea?
Hon Soalaoi: Mr Chairman,
currently the budget support we are receiving from AusAID is under a special
fund, which is HSTA. That is going to
cease and after it ceases SWAP will be the new name.
Mr Fono: Can the
Minister explain properly what this fund is used for? I think that is the question of my colleague
from Ranogga/Simbo. Is it for
subsidizing the operating cost of the hospital like patient food or is it to pay
for infrastructure or equipments?
Explain it properly so that Members of Parliament will know.
Hon Soalaoi: Mr Chairman,
the assistance we receive from AusAID through this funding helps the Ministry
in its operations and other development initiatives. It is the same as the SIG fund that we use for
the operation of the Ministry. This fund
consolidates the activities of the Ministry of Health. It is used for the operations of the Ministry
and other development initiatives according to our operation plan.
Mr Riumana: On the same
item. Can this fund be used for the improvement
of existing clinics and hospitals? How is
this fund administered?
Hon Soalaoi: Mr Chairman,
the Member is right that this fund is to assist the Ministry in its efforts to improve
medical infrastructures and also to assist the operations of our provincial
hospitals. It is a fund that is used to
assist and top up the contribution from SIG.
Mr Huniehu: Mr Chairman,
this fund is for funding of projects but why does it appear in the recurrent
budget. It should be in the development
budget.
Hon Soalaoi: Mr Chairman, the
Ministry has been receiving this fund and is still receiving it. It is just a continuous support to the recurrent
expenditures of the Ministry and that is why it is in the recurrent. Most of the work has started and so that is
the reason why it comes under recurrent.
Mr Lonamei: Mr Chairman,
subhead 3100 -house rents of $5 million.
Is this house rent only for those in
Hon Soalaoi: Mr Chairman, that
allocation for rent is not only for
Mr Riumana: Mr Chairman,
my question is on page 135, accounting code 4004 – training local
in-service. What kind of training is
this? Is it training for staff or
students? If so, then is that $20,000
enough?
Hon Soalaoi: This
allocation is basically to assist the divisional upskilling of our staff. It is not for students but it is for our
staff at the headquarters. The
allocation of $20,000 is for the training of our divisional staff.
Mr Tozaka: Mr Chairman, what
are the main diseases under the non communicable diseases that are of great
concern to us?
Hon Soalaoi: Is the Member
asking about the program for the non communicable diseases? The Honiara City Council receives an out
service grant from the Ministry and it is the one that comes up with programs
on non communicable disease. This service
grant is used for those programs.
Mr Tozaka: Mr Chairman,
this is a very important head. On 2018 -
publicity and promotion, I gather diabetes, heart disease also come under non
communicable disease. I notice here that
there is no provision for publicity and promotion.
Hon Soalaoi: Mr Chairman,
that comes under public health division, which also receives support from SWAP
assistance.
Mr Hilly: Page 137 -
Hon Soalaoi: Health
services in
Most of the divisions of the Honiara City Council are
administered together under the Environmental Health Program of the Ministry
headquarters. Most of the funds given to
the Honiara City Council are basically to help it run its clinics around the
city as well as other programs in its operational plans.
Mr Riumana: Same code 4100
– Health Service Grant to Honiara City Council.
Does the Ministry have a system in place to monitor the use of this fund
so that it is used properly on health services in
Hon Soalaoi: Mr
Chairman, there is a system in place to monitor the spending by various
divisions of the Ministry of Health. In
regards to the Honiara City Council there is a system in place to monitor the
spending of the Honiara City Council. Every
fund coming out from the Ministry is monitored on how the money is being spent.
That determines their next allocation in
the next budget.
Mr Gukuna: Mr Chairman,
I am still on this City Council business, on the same subhead. With this amount of money, my understanding is
that the City Council is under a lot of pressure to run health services in town
because more people are coming to town and the money given to clinics is no
adequate. I happen to end up in one of these
clinics and I can see that they need a lot of assistance. The allocation here is still not enough. Is there any thinking to increase this amount
because most of our people in the rural areas end up in town?
Hon Soalaoi: I have already
looked at the allocation for this year and there is an increase in the
allocation to the Honiara City Council. There
is no harm in assisting them when they requested.
Mr Lonamei: Mr
Chairman, subhead 1011 - Housing Allowance. Housing allowance seems to appear in every
other page under this head. What about
the huge rent that we have gone through earlier on today? Is that $5 million not enough to cover housing
allowance for these people?
Hon Soalaoi: The
Member is quite right. There are certain
officers that are not covered based on their levels. As we know officers are only entitled for the
government to rent a house for them on a certain level. Those who do not qualified are subsidized
with housing allowances.
Mr Gukuna: Mr Chairman, page
139. I seem to notice that all the
expenditures at the top of the page, the subheads on the top have budgeted
figures for last year but no actuals and so some provisions appear again in the
Budget this year. Is there any hope that
these will happen?
I am not certain whether I
understand what appears in here rightly but what I am getting is that there are
no actual figures for these last year.
Hon Sogavare: The way these
allocations are made is based on baselines or the performance of ministries
last year. If they perform at the same
level then they are allocated the same amount again this year.
Mr Hilly: On National
HIV/STD Division, there seems to be no provision for salaries for people working
under this division but there are other common heads in there. Can the Minister explain whether people are working
specifically on this area of health or are they being looked after by other
divisions of the health authority?
Hon Soalaoi: The staff
working in this division comes under the Nursing Division and that is why you
do not see any salary provision but a zero provision. The salaries of staff working in the HIV
Program are under the Nursing Division.
Mr Kwanairara: Accounting
code 0385-1010 - civil service salaries has an increase of about $200,000. Can the Minister explain the reason for this increase?
Hon Soalaoi: Mr Chairman,
that increase is simply to fill up some of the vacancies in the Department,
which is reflected in this increase in this year’s allocation.
Mr Rini: Mr Chairman,
page 143 – accounting code 1014 has a fairly big increase on special duty
allowance, which is more than the civil salaries. Can the Minister explain this?
Hon Soalaoi: Mr Chairman,
the increase in the amount allocated for Special Duty Allowance is specifically
due to people involved in programs, most of them come from our paramedic staff.
Some of the incentives given to our
paramedic staff are in terms of special duty allowance.
Mr Gukuna: Mr Chairman,
page 146. If you look at the budget of
the Ministry of Health, it is all expenditure, about 99.9% is expenditure,
except for these two items here on page 146 as abut income. It is neglected. It is very small money and it does not look
proper for the budget. It is mainly from
paying of cards in the hospital and so it is a very small amount. It is really embarrassing on very sick who go
to the hospital and they are asked to pay for the cards. Seeing that this is a very small amount, is it
possible to get this income somewhere other than putting it here, after all the
whole budget of this ministry is all expenses.
Can we get rid of this card business and giving it free of charge?
Hon Soalaoi: Mr Chairman,
we share the same feelings. This is
operated under fee schedule and this is one of the areas we are working
on. We are simply working on how to
assist our people on this. Most of our
people cannot afford to pay fees. This
is just something the Ministry is doing to comply with the fee schedules.
I think you might have noted in the Audit Report that
this is one of the areas we have indicated that we are looking into.
Mr Rini: I am just concern
about page 53 of the Establishment. On
page 53 of the Establishment, there is a heading there which says Resident
Medical Officers. And in this year’s
budget seven people are earmarked for that post. My question is, what is the grade and level of
these resident medical officers, it was not shown in the establishment
register. What is the level of one
Resident medical officer (1) and six resident medical officers (2)? What grade and level do these come under?
Hon Soalaoi: I believe the
Member is referring to our new graduate doctors whose entry point is Level 9
and 10.
Mr Hilly: Page 146 -
I raise this question because sometimes I go to the
hospital and I can see many patients coming but there does not seem to be any
nurses or doctors attending those people.
Is this hospital adequately staffed?
Mr Chairman: Is it a
general question Member for Ranogga/Simbo?
Mr Hilly: Yes, we are
trying to allocate funds for the
Hon Soalaoi: Mr Chairman,
the
The demand from provincial health divisions to post
nurses and doctors to the provinces is one of the challenges in the
In terms of assistance towards the
Mr Gukuna: Mr Chairman,
page 145. I noticed there were no
provisions for the medical store last year.
I understand that this is the medical store at Ranandi. Why was there nothing last year but this year
there are provisions? Does this show
some external funds have been removed or have you decided to put up something
else? Why was there no provision last
year and this year all these costs come in?
Hon Soalaoi: Mr Chairman,
I think we all know these allocations.
There was no allocation last year because the orders received last year
were mainly support from AUSAID under HSTA special fund, which I mentioned
earlier on.
Mr Kwanairara: Page 147 on
rations. Does this amount cover only
the
Hon Soalaoi: Mr Chairman,
ration provided at the
Mr Tozaka: Mr Chairman, page
148 - 1010 – civil service salaries. Why
is there no allocation there?
Hon Soalau: There is no
allocation on civil salaries because as I already mentioned most of our public
health divisions come under the nursing division and some of them under the
headquarters.
Mr Tozaka; Sorry, I
think I have an ear problem, but according to the establishment there are 27
posts altogether under dental. I would
have thought that that should be catered for under this particular
subhead. In the establishment register,
I counted that there are 27 posts under this division but they are not shown in
here. Where are they going to be paid?
Hon Soalaoi: Mr Chairman,
the dental staff salaries are paid under the
Mr Gukuna: Mr Chairman,
this is a general question but I noticed that the whole expense head of the
Ministry of Health is one of the ministries that touch our very people in the
rural areas. It is the heart of this
nation in breeding healthy people. But I
seem to notice that there is no budget support.
This entire section has no budget support. I am just wondering whether no one wants to
support this ministry or we did not ask for it or we have made some deliberate
decisions not to include any sort of support.
Hon Soalaoi: Mr Chairman, it
does not necessarily mean that there is no support towards the Ministry. Because of the importance of the Ministry,
like I mentioned already, most programs of the Ministry are supported by our donors. Most of it, like I said, will be reflected in
projects we have under the development programs for this year.
Mr Tozaka: Mr Chairman,
page 150. Just a clarification from the
Minister. Can he explain what is ‘Imaging
Services’ and what kind of services is it providing?
Hon Soalaoi: Mr Chairman,
medical imaging services refers to ultra sound services and the x-ray
department. That is what is referred to
as medical imaging services on this page.
Mr Tozaka: Mr Chairman, salaries
again on 1010. Does the same thing happen
to this particular division that salaries are also catered for under the
Hon Soalaoi: Yes, the Member
is right. This is one of the departments
of the
Mr Tozaka: Mr Chairman,
according to the Ministry of Health’s Report, this particular division
complains too much about housing and shortage of staffing and so it is unable
to reach out to the provinces. Is this
concern catered for in this budget?
Hon Soalaoi: Yes, Mr
Chairman, this department deals with national programs allocated in the
Mr Gukuna: Mr Chairman,
page 154. Accounting code 1010 has an
apparent reduction in civic service salaries.
I am just wondering what is causing this reduction.
Hon Soalaoi: Mr Chairman,
this is similar to what I referred to earlier that allocation for vacancies are
not included earlier on. I understand
there is an allocation we can use to fill up the vacancies.
Mr Gukuna: Mr Chairman,
page 156, on the expenditures at the top.
In 2005 there was provision for special duty, overtime and other allowances
but nothing was expended last year, and they came up again this year. Is the trend from last year not carried
forward? Is there something coming up
this year?
Hon Soalaoi: Mr Chairman, this
is due to some of our paramedic staff not entitled to special duty allowance.
Mr Tozaka: Mr Chairman,
page 158 – accounting code 2153 – maintenance of patrol boats. Can you explain this?
Hon Soalau: Mr Chairman,
most of our environmental health programs are carried out in the rural areas
where there is no available form of transport and so they use outboard motor
canoes. And that is what it is referring
to.
Mr Rini: Mr Chairman,
on page 158 accounting code 2010 – motor vehicles with an allocation of $220,000. If we look at previous departments or even
other ministries that we have dealt with yesterday and even the Ministry of
Health and Medical Services itself, there was no allocation on this item in
other departments or ministries. Why is
this particular department allocated with $220,000 for vehicles? Why not everyone? If you look at previous heads they were
deleted or have zero provisions. Why
does this particular Department have a big budget of $220,000 for motor
vehicles?
Hon Soalaoi: Mr Chairman,
there is no reflection of motor vehicles in other Departments basically because
they already have vehicles. This
allocation for motor vehicles under this department is because this year this department
will be embarking on promotional programs especially in
Mr Rini: Mr Chairman,
I think the purchase of vehicles should be under the Ministry of
Infrastructure. Or has government policy
changed so that each Ministry is entitled to purchase its own vehicle?
Hon Soalaoi: Mr Chairman,
this is an item that is closely attached to a program and so that is the reason
why we want to buy a vehicle for this department. It is a program related item.
Mr Gukuna: Mr Chairman, page
160. The expenditures on this page are for
the National Health Training and Research.
If you look at the expenses of this subhead, the provision for actual
training and seminars is only $100,000 and all the expenses are on something
else. I would have thought that these
expenditures are supposed to be for training, but the actual cost for training
and seminars is only $100,000. Can the
Minister explain whether this makes any sense?
Hon Soalaoi: Mr Chairman, since he is referring to research
and training, this is a program that has been taken up with assistance from the
Japanese Government.
Mr Gukuna: Mr Chairman,
I accept the Minister’s answer but this page is indicative of what we have been
doing. It is talking about training here
but actually we are talking about paying ourselves, and this is one of the
classic examples of what we have been doing all these years. This is talking about training and yet the
government is not committing money to training.
It is committing everything to salaries, wages, allowances and other
allowances. Only a small part of the
money goes to training and seminar. That
is just a comment and may be important to take note of.
Hon Soalaoi: I just want
to make a general response. I think without
coordinators and facilitators there would not be any training. These allocations for allowances and salaries
are for the coordinators and facilitators of the training.
Mr Chairman: Just a
reminder to all Members of Parliament that you switch off your mobile phones
when you come into the chamber.
Mr Riumana: Mr Chairman,
my question is on page 159 – accounting code 3220 on materials and
equipments. I understand that in the
budget there is allocation for vehicles, protective clothing, and so
forth. My question is what kind of
materials and equipments are still to be provided? There is an allocation of $500,000 last year for
these and this year it is $200,000. What
kind of equipment and materials are not yet provided? That is my first question.
My second question is; what are the control measures
the Ministry is taking so that the equipments and materials paid under this
head are properly accounted for in the hospital?
Hon Soalaoi: Mr Chairman,
in terms of materials there is a lot of printing done especially for posters for
our promotional programs in the environmental health department. There is also printing of special materials
like the colored materials that we see around, which are not cheap to produce.
Mr Fono: Mr Chairman, in
the establishment there seems to be some inconsistencies in the director
posts. Some are at level 10/11, some are
at level 12/13, and some are at level 13 and SS1. What are the reasons for these
inconsistencies on the levels?
Hon Soalaoi: Mr Chairman,
the inconsistencies seen on the levels of our various directors is because they
are given the different levels when they come into a particular division. For example, for the paramedics, you will
notice that most of the posts are a bit lower than the other divisions. I guess it is to do with the workload. They are working according to the differences
that exist between the levels. The
levels accorded to these officers are basically done according to the amount of
work that is required and the demand on the services they provide.
Mr Tozaka: Mr Chairman,
page 162 accounting code 3010. I think this
was already raised but there is also inconsistency on motor vehicles. From the report of the Ministry of Health and
Medical Services, this particular division has problem in moving around, not
only here in Honiara but also in the provinces in terms of motor vehicles and
outboard motors – transport but in here there is zero provision. Can the Minister explain why?
Hon Soalaoi: Mr Chairman,
there is no provision there because it already has a good vehicle at the
moment.
Mr Kwanairara: Mr Chairman,
page 164 – expenditure - civil service salaries. In 2005 and 2006 there were no people at post. Is this a new office or a new set up? Can the Minister confirm?
Hon Soalaoi: Mr Chairman,
yes in previous years there were no allocations but in 2007 estimates there are
allocations. This is for only for one
coordinator who was appointed to look after the Eye Division of the
Mr Gukuna: Mr Chairman, pages
165 & 166 and the next few pages are about malaria. But all the other provinces have no
allocations, only
Hon Soalaoi: Mr Chairman,
only
Mr Tozaka: Just a
general question. Since when did we
transfer malaria to go down to the provinces to be paid under their services
grants? Was it this year or last year?
Hon Soalaoi: Mr Chairman,
it started last year.
Mr Kwanairara: Mr Chairman, accounting
code 4139 - Malu’u Nurse Aide Training School (NATS). There was going to be a training undertaking
this year. Can you just confirm how many
nurse aides will be trained this year for this amount of money?
Hon Soalaoi: Mr Chairman, the
Malu’u Nurse Aide Training School recruits an average of 20 students per
year. This school is just about ready to
start classes for this year. It is not a
big school and so it recruits an average of 20 nurse aides in one year.
Mr Lonamei: Mr Chairman,
page 175 accounting code 2070 – staff travel and transport (local). This is very important for the travel of
those in the provinces. Can the Minister
explain why this particular item has a zero provision for all the provinces?
Hon Soalaoi: Mr Chairman,
travel and transport for staff in the provinces is catered for under the
provincial health service grants.
Mr Fono: Mr Chairman, the
last two accounting codes – church grants – Atoifi and Atoifi SON. Is there any explanation for these two
different accounting heads? I understand
the church grants for Atoifi but what is this Atoifi SON? What does the initial ‘SON stands for?
Hon Soalaoi: Mr Chairman, the
church grant - Atoifi refers to assistance given to that hospital and Atoifi
SON refers to the School of Nursing attached to that hospital.
Mr Gukuna: Mr Chairman, I notice the Minister saying that a lot
of responsibilities have been passed on to the provinces. I am wondering why the Ministry has decided to
pass on these responsibilities to the provinces. As far as I understand, the health officers of
my province are having some difficulties in taking things out from the
province. In the past it has been much
easier for them to come and get it straight from the headquarters. What is the reason why the headquarters has passed
these responsibilities on to the provinces, knowing very well that arguments normally
ensue before something is done?
Hon Soalaoi: I think the
reason why some of these responsibilities have been given to the provinces is
to make them take on these responsibilities. If all these things are done in the
headquarters it will not be easier. This
is just to make things easier. This is
the Ministry’s effort to ensure the efficient running of the system. That is the reason why some of the
responsibilities are being given to the provinces. The headquarters is taking up most of the divisions
that are in
Mr Kwanairara: I come back again
to training. I would like the Honorable
Minister to explain the difference between the
Hon Soalaoi: The
difference between the two schools is that the Malu’u NATS is training nurse aides,
and the
Mr Gukuna: I just want to
ask my colleagues Ministers that these figures belong to all of us, and we are
going to pass them. We are not
criticizing but we just want explanation, and so you should also ask
questions.
I am sure some of these figures must include some of
the tithes as appeared in the budget. The
Minister has said that the easiest way of doing it is to give the monies to the
provinces. Are you going to give the
tithes as part of the health straight to the church or is it going to be
controlled at the headquarters.
Hon Darcy: Mr Chairman,
tithes will be paid to churches. We will
pay tithes to the church.
Mr Tozaka: Page 175 on health
services grant. Under the Provincial Government
Act 1981, Provincial Executives can provide services under this health services
grant.
My question is on accountability. Some provinces when receiving this service
grant, it becomes the responsibility of the provincial executive to disburse
the funds, which is directly affecting the efficiency and effectiveness of
providing services to provinces for medical services.
In this regard, is the Director of Medical Services
still in control and accountable to this fund at the provincial level?
Hon Waipora: That question
is on the control of funds in the provinces and so I would like to make
explanations. The Provincial Executive is
the overall head but administrative arrangement is such that grants are paid
direct to the accounts or passbook, so to speak, of the provincial health services. Therefore, the Director of Medical Services
in the provinces is responsible for disbursing the funds for activities such as
paying for rations of patients, referring patients to
This arrangement is still in place in that grants are
paid to the provinces and it goes direct to the accounts of provincial hospitals. That is what I can contribute to the question
directed to my colleague, the Minister for Health.
Mr Kengava: On the basis
that grants are paid, I just want to know whether grants are paid in lump sum
or on quarterly basis.
Hon Soalaoi: Health
services grants to provincial hospitals are paid on a monthly basis.
Mr Kwanairara: I would like
to know the criteria used in distributing the health service grants to
provinces. Is it based on population or
what is it based on?
Hon Soalaoi: Mr Chairman,
health service grants are calculated based on the population of each province. I think it is clear with the allocation that
big provinces are receiving a much larger allocation then the smaller provinces. The Member is right that it is paid according
to the population of provinces.
Mr Rini: Accounting
code 4128 on grants to church clinics.
The allocation here for this year is $922,160, and this is for
Hon Soalaoi: All church
run clinics and hospitals receive assistance through grant.
Mr Huniehu: Page 177 - accounting
code 4100. Can the Minister explain who
is eligible to benefit from this allocation?
Hon Soalaoi: Mr Chairman, this
health services grant on page 177 is an allocation for the Makira/Ulawa
Province. All provinces are qualified to
receive health services grant.
Hon Darcy: Mr Chairman,
what the Minster is saying is that every sick people in Makira/Ulawa Province
will benefit from this allocation.
Mr Boyers: Page 179,
accounting code 4191 - Helena Goldie SON. Can the Minister explain what Helena Goldie
SON is?
Hon Soalaoi: This SON
stands for
Mr Boyers: Mr Chairman, can
the Minister explain why there is no grant for the
Hon Soalaoi: In fact this
is a direct assistance to the Helena Goldie hospital where the school is attached
to.
Mr Huniehu: Can the Minister
explain whether
Hon Soalaoi: Mr Chairman, the
Atoifi hospital also receives services grant and it is under
Mr Fono: The first
question. I notice that there is allocation
to church clinics in the
I also noticed that three important posts under the
Hon Soalaoi: Other church
run clinics like Nafinua come under provincial health services grants. For the second question, Mr Chairman, the
general patients practitioners carry out general visits to the
Mr Kengava: Under
assistance to church hospitals like Atoifi and Helena Goldie and others, I
notice that they came under the provinces.
My question is, who is going to give out the money, is it the Ministry
or the Provinces? I feel it is more
better to come under the Ministry so that it gives grant directly to the
hospitals otherwise it might hold up in the provinces.
Hon Soalaoi: Mr Chairman,
the difference between clinics that receive direct assistances from the Ministry
is that some of the clinics are built by churches and the nurses are provided
for by the province, and that is the reason why they come under the
province.
Mr Boyers: Mr Chairman, I
am still not satisfied with the answer by the Minister for Health on grants to
the church.
The
Why are these two hospitals run by the churches but
one receives grant and the other one is not.
I would like to know whether there is any support from the government
for Helena Goldie run by the church. I
would like to see a bit of tithing to be given to
Hon Soalaoi: In fact,
church run hospitals and clinics in
Mr Lonamei: Page 181
belongs to
Hon Soalaoi: If the MP is referring
to 1155 then all those items are catered for under the first accounting codes.
Mr Riumana: Page 181
accounting code 4100 - Health Services Grant.
Can the Minister explain the purpose of this Health Services Grant? Does it include improvements to clinics and
hospitals as well?
Hon Soalaoi: Mr Chairman, the health service grants are to assist
hospitals in its operations. As we know
hospitals also pay for their direct employees and nurse aides working in nurse
aides posts in the provinces.
Mr Lonamei: Mr Chairman, the
health services grant for last year was $1.5million and this year it is $1.6 million,
an increase of about $47,000. Mr
Chairman, in the Minister’s answer earlier on today he said that malaria responsibilities
are now transferred to the provinces and catered for under their health
services grant. If that is true, why is
there an increase of only about $47,000? In the past allocation to malaria was about
$173,000. Is this a reduction of the
services grant? Can the Minister explain
this?
Hon Soalaoi: Mr Chairman, I
think we should just appreciate that there is an increase. Malaria programs are also supported by the
Global Fund and AusAID. The increase you
see on the allocation there is a contribution from the National
Government.
Mr Riumana: Just another
general question. If other divisions are
transferred to headquarters, can the Minister please explain why malaria goes
back to the provinces?
Hon Soalaoi: I can simply
say it is because malaria is not only in
Mr Lonamei: The
establishment of the Isabel Health Division should have about 63 established
posts, of which 13 are still vacant. Can
the Minister confirm to this House whether these vacant posts are going to be
filled?
Hon Soalaoi: The answer is
yes.
Mr Koli: Mr Chairman,
under the Ministry of Health and Medical Services - Malaria
I have a general question, which I would like the
Minister to clarify for me. Seeing that the
Hon Soalaoi: Mr Chairman, a
very unfortunate situation is expressed by the Member, which is quite
right. Since the
Mr Kengava: On
accounting code 1010 - Civil Service
Salaries for
Hon Soalaoi: The
allocation to Civil Service Salaries includes the salary of the Provincial Health
Director.
Mr Kengava: I want to
know whether it includes the salary of a doctor and whether a doctor is posted
there right now.
Hon Soalaoi: The Ministry
is still to send somebody there. There
is an established post for a doctor in the Province and the Provincial Health
Director is basically the doctor for
Mr Kengava: Accounting
code 4128 - Grants to Church Clinics. I just
want to know whether this includes support for the Sasamunga mini-hospital.
Hon Soaloai: Mr Chairman,
that grant is for Sasamunga.
Mr Kengava: Is it for Sasamunga clinic only or Sasamunga mini-hospital
and other church clinics as well?
Hon Soalaoi: The grant to Church clinics is for Sasamunga. I do not know whether it is a clinic or mini-hospital
but it is for the
Mr Kengava: Mr Chairman,
I think I am partly satisfied. If it is for Sasamunga it should be
written there as Sasamunga Grant so that it is clear that it is assistance to
Sasamunga clinic so that the Province does not confuse it with the Health
Services Grant which is for the whole Province.
Mr Fono: Mr Chairman, the
Minister assured the House that a doctor would be posted to Choiseul, however I
fail to see that in the Establishment under Health specifically outlining the postings
of doctors or other staff to go down to the Choiseul Province. For the other provinces, it is outlined
except for
Hon Soalaoi: In the
postings of this year one doctor will be posted for
Mr Tozaka: Mr Chairman,
we cannot properly hear the answer to that question. A doctor to be posted to
Hon Darcy: Mr Chairman,
the post is on page 71. The post for a doctor
for
Mr Gukuna: May be it is
just a misunderstanding on the purposes. I notice that you have shifted every benefit
to some of the accounting codes on the top.
My interpretation of this is that what is on top is for public servants
and what is at the bottom is for the provinces.
Is every one in the province now public servants or are they still in
the payroll of the province?
Hon Soalaoi: Only the
allowances are for civil servants. The others
are catered for under the health services grant.
Mr Gukuna: Mr Chairman,
page 189 is Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation. There is a current reduction on staffing. There is a big reduction on salaries, which I
take it as reduction of staffing on this section of the hospital. I just wonder whether this reduction in staffing
means this division is becoming not important or the accident rates in town has
been improved.
Hon Soalaoi: Mr Chairman, I
think I need to clarify that across the estimates this decrease is simply due
to existing vacancies.
Mr Koli: Still on physiotherapy
and rehabilitation. I know that you have
trained several community based rehabilitation officers who have been posted to
the provinces to rehabilitate our disabled people. How effective is this training in terms of
implementing what they have been trained for our disabled people in the rural
areas?
Hon Soalaoi: Training for
these officers started last year, which is very effective and is going to
continue this year as soon as there are enough trained officers and they will
start going out to areas where they are needed.
Mr Kengava: Sub-head 4040 – Subscriptions to Organization. I just want to ask what kind of organization
do you subscribe to and whether that amount is sufficient.
Hon Soalaoi: Mr
Chairman, the subscriptions to organization is subscription to international
organizations that support this program.
If we do not contribute to the organizations then we simply subscribe and
we receive support from these organizations.
Mr Boyers: Mr Chairman,
page 191 – accounting code 4009 – Training SICHE fees. I notice that the budgeted expenditure this
year as compared to other years has no allocation. Can the Minister explain this?
Hon Soalaoi: This
training - SICHE fees is for the undergraduate program at SICHE. It has been taken out from training general like
last year.
Mr Gukuna: Accounting
code 1020 – caters for new employees.
What sort of employee is this that is very lowly paid?
Hon Soalaoi: It looks
small but there is an officer who has been appointed to look after people
living with the HIV. It looks small
because it is for only one person. This
is an allowance given to only one officer looking after the HIV patients.
Mr Gukuna: My concern is
that this is below the legal minimum wage that is allowed under law.
Mr Haomae: Can
I take you back to page 191 – Item Code 4009 – Training – SICHE fees. This is a new item and so can the Minister
explain it? And also how many nurses
will be trained under this item?
Hon Soalaoi: Mr
Chairman, it caters for an average of 30 students per year for year one. The program is for three years and so it is
looking at 90 students per year.
Mr Gukuna: Mr Chairman,
this department appears to be getting very important this time. A lot of our young people are getting into
marijuana and are mentally affected. However,
I noticed that last year there was no allocation to train people to look after
them, the same as this year. Why is there
no training for anyone to look after the mental people who sometimes have become
dangerous?
Hon Soalaoi: Mr
Chairman, in fact training has been conducted for
officers to look after mentally affected people, and some of these officers are
based at Kilu’ufi and some at the
Mr Fono: Can the
Minister confirm that this is for the Mental Unit at the Kilu’ufi
hospital. There is no allocation for a
vehicle. They might need a vehicle
too. Can the Minister explain?
Hon Soalaoi: This
is also supported by the HSTA. The
Psychiatric Department at the Kilu’ufi Hospital is part of the
Mr Fono: Another part
of my question is still not answered. Do
they not need a vehicle? Do they have an
existing vehicle at this time?
Hon Soalaoi: There
is a vehicle in
Mr Gukuna: Mr Chairman,
page 195 – there was no actuals in 2005 and all of a sudden there was
allocation last year, and this year there are no allocations for probationary
nurses. Are there no new nursing intakes
this year?
Hon Soalaoi: These
probationers come under the headquarters. After they are confirmed they are posted to
different clinics.
Head 276 - $136,895,983 agreed to
Head
277 – Ministry of Infrastructure Development
Mr Rini: On pages 202 -
telephone and faxes, there is a big increase in expenditure. What is that increase for? In 2006 it was $302,099 but the allocation
for this year is $1million.
Hon Sogavare: Mr Chairman,
I think the Minister of Finance has explained this yesterday. You will see these two items throughout the
government ministries having big allocations. This is to clear backlogs we owe on telephones
and faxes and so we are clearing these debts this time. That is why you will see substantial
increases throughout the ministries. Hopefully
this should not happen next year. We
will clear these debts this year and next year we should see the expenditure
level go back to normal.
Mr Boyers: In response
to that question, in some of the departments their telephone, faxes and water
bills are just the same but only two or three departments have five, six or
seven hundred percent increase. In the light
of the explanation made that this is because of arrears in bills, does this
mean that at the next budget at the end of the year are we going to see it
coming back to normal or will this huge amount of bills continue.
Mr Darcy: Mr Chairman,
we hope to settle all the arrears. With this
particular ministry, as you know that previously this ministry also includes Meteorology,
Aviation and the Spectrum departments. These
are departments that heavily correspond with international organizations and
during those periods their bills start to come out. But the fact that the bills were billed
directly to the Department of Infrastructure and that is why it does not appear
under respective heads but appears in the main Head of the Ministry of
Infrastructure, and so this is a backlog.
But we hope to settle all these areas at the end of the year. And as I said yesterday it will be really
surprising to see these arrears still creeping up. We hope this would be the
last time.
Mr Rini: I can
understand the increase in telephones and faxes in other ministries. For example, we expect an increase in the Ministry
of Finance, the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. But if you go to the Ministry of
Infrastructure there are only a few telephones there. If you look at the actuals in 2005 it is only
$141,000 but that actuals has suddenly blown up, and so I do not understand this
big blown up in the allocation for this year.
Hon Darcy: I have just
explained the reason for the difference. This Department used to also include the Civil
Aviation, Meteorology, and Spectrum Departments, and all these are
organizations that communicate on a daily basis with international
organizations in the past. They were
only separated last year, and some of their arrears dated back to some four
years ago have now come in and so we have to settle them. These are the main accounts they have been
charged to previously and that is why we see them included this year. But I think the main thing is to settle them so
that they do not keep recurring. It is
not who should incur more bills and who should incur less. But the explanation is that these were previously
departments that heavily involved with communication outside.
Mr Gukuna: I notice that
there is no allocation this year for maintenance of wharves and jetties. Wharves are constantly being hit by ships
every year. It is not like something that
is built this year and forgotten about hoping to build a new wharf next time. A wharf
is something that is subject to maintenance every year and I think there should
be some allocations for the maintenance of wharves and jetties.
Secondly, is there any possibility to allocate some
money directly to the Ports Authority here because this is where all the ships
off load and load their cargoes? The
wharves here are in really bad state. I understand the Authority needs some money
for the repair of the wharves and jetties.
Hon Sofu: Mr
Chairman, shipping is very important
and so the Ministry of Infrastructure and Development is taking care of that concern
under the National Transport Plan.
Mr Gukuna: I accept that
answer but I think I have made a point during my speech to the budget that this
is a fundamental industry, and that shipping is related to wharves. I do not think this industry should be made
to wait on a plan. I was interviewed
about this plan in October 2005. We do
not want to waste another year waiting for this plan. The wharves need some direct government
intervention now, and I think there should be direct action this time.
Hon Sofu: Mr Chairman, shipping is very important and so the
Ministry of Infrastructure Development is taking care of that concern under the
National Transport Plan.
Hon Sofu: Mr Chairman,
just to clarify that concern. The Ministry is taking care of that and that is
why the Ministry is making recruitments this year 2007 so that proper
assessment could be made on wharves and jetties that need to be repaired.
Mr Haomae: Mr Chairman,
I cannot reconcile what the Minister has said because item code 2164 maintenance
of roads and bridges has a provision. If
the Minister is telling the truth this item should also go under the National
Transport Project. The Minister said that maintenance of wharves and jetties is
under the National Transport Project, but why is roads and bridges not under
the same project? I cannot reconcile
that answer. One is provided for and the
other one is not. One is in the National
Transport Project and another one is not.
They are the same thing, they are infrastructures.
Hon Sofu: You can see in
the 2007 budget that it is for main road maintenance identified by the division
to be done in 2007. But in the case of
jetties and wharves, touring would be made of all provinces to make assessments
of all the wharves to be included in the working plan.
Mr Boyers: Page 204,
accounting code 2164- maintenance of roads and bridges. Since 2005 my people have constructed their
own roads with major funding coming from the RCDF and business houses. We have also rehabilitated the road the
Kenelo road of my colleague of South New Georgia, Rendova, Tetepari’s area. In the light of this allocation, in the light
of the bottom up approach that we have taken of rebuilding national roads and
also provincial infrastructures to service the people, can the Minister
acknowledge that the funding allocated here could be accessed to recover the
cost of rehabilitating and maintaining those roads.
Hon Sofu: I think it is
very clear in the budget that the maintenance of roads I am talking about are
roads declared as national roads and meet standard requirements.
Mr Rini: On page 98 of the establishment under Transport
Policy and Planning Department, eight provinces have a chief civil engineer
except for the
Hon Sofu: In the 2007
establishment there will be five civil engineers who will be doing engineering
work throughout our provinces.
Mr Gukuna: Accounting
code 212o on hire of shipping. The
provision here is for hire of ship for only one and half days. Is that what you will need this year, for only
one and half days hire of ship?
While I am standing up, the provision for Safety
Equipment, accounting code 3225, there is no provision this year. Some of your staff will be involved in road
maintenance and would need safety boots and overalls. Why is there no provision for that this year?
Hon Sofu: The provision
here for hire of shipping is for movement of plants from one province to
another if there is need.
Mr Fono: The last item
– gravel rights – Has the government changed its policy to lease gravel pits now
or which one does this apply to?
Hon Sofu: Gravel rights
is not a compensation payment or payment of the gravel itself. The Ministry or the Government would like to show
its appreciation to resource owners who allow their gravels to be used. The government shows its token of appreciation
by this provision. It is not a payment
of gravel or payment of resources.
Mr Kengava: Item code
6026 – Highway Authority Expenses. This
is an unknown authority unlike the Ports Authority, SIWA and SIEA. Can the Minister just explain the role of this
authority and how many people work in this authority?
Hon Sofu: Highway
Authority Expenses is provided for under this budget because it is very
important. The role of this authority is
to have talks with other authorities or holds public awareness about the
Ministry’s program on whatever changes that are taking place within the
Ministry of Infrastructure.
Mr Tozaka: I have problem
with the answer from the Minister in response to the question by the MP for
Marovo in regards to civil engineers in the establishment.
Hon Sofu: If you look
at the establishment under the Ministry of Infrastructure on page 98 you will
find a civil engineer for Western and Choiseul Provinces.
Mr Tozaka: Sorry, I
think I also had problem with my eyes, but page 98 of the establishment only
has civil engineer for
Hon Sofu: I would like
to explain on the floor of Parliament that there is one engineer for
Mr Haomae: Is the
Highway Authority the same as the Road Authority? The Road Authority should collect toll fees
from the highways to repair the roads because it is a bit unfair for people in
the rural areas who do not come to
Hon Sofu: I made it
clear in my answer earlier on today that the Highway Authority expenses include
talks that the Ministry of Infrastructure sees fit to conduct about whatever
changes or regulations the Ministry will take. This budget is not big but it is only $27,000.
Mr Haomae: I understand the
Minister’s answer but the point I was trying to make is that if this Road Authority,
which is under an Act of his Ministry is not yet reactivated, the Minister must
reactivate it so that it looks at the roads to
introduce the user-pay principle.
That is what I am trying to get at.
So that only those who travel on the road pay for its maintenance and not
unnecessarily penalize people in the rural areas that do not use those roads.
Hon Sofu: It is a
requirement under the Roads Act as provided for the Ministry of Infrastructure
& Development to pursue.
Mr Rini: Accounting
Code 3062 on page 206 – Consultancy Fees. Can the Minister explain what these fees are for? What sort of consultancy services would this
come under?
Hon Sofu: This is provision
to cater for engagement of any private consultant engineers when the Division fully
engaged or overloaded with work.
Mr Riumana: Page 208 –
all the items under income – are these rates updated or not?
Hon Sofu: Right now
officers in my Department are working on this.
Mr Gukuna: On page 209 there
is a provision for hire of shipping. I
just want the Minister to clarify whether this is the subsidy of the Ministry
of Infrastructure, and if this is the subsidy program of the Ministry of
Infrastructure, my understanding is that some ships that are not qualified to get
this money last year or the previous years have drawn this money. Some ships that were servicing uneconomical
routes and so were qualified were refused to be helped. Can the Minister confirm to the House whether
this is the same funds, and if it is, can the Minister do something about this
because there is need to look into this.
Hon Sofu: The answer to
the first part of your question is ‘yes’.
The ships that are qualified to get this subsidy fund are:
(a)
The outlying islands of Temotu
(b)
Renbel, and
(c)
Malaita Outer
The
process to acquire this subsidy is through the Marine Division and the
administration of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Development.
Mr Rini: Accounting code
6052 – Search and Rescue. This division is a very important division
that takes care of the lives of people traveling at sea. I just want to ask the Minister why there is
a very big decrease in the allocation for this year, a decrease of $282,000.
Hon Sofu: This decrease
reflects the new technology that is now installed in the Marine Division
connecting it with the Forum Fisheries for information on the position of ships
that whenever there is any problem to the ships they can call the Division. That is the reason for this reduction as reflected
in the budget estimates.
Mr Kengava: Accounting
code 2013. I notice there is no
allocation for telephones and faxes. Is
there any reason as to why it is nil?
Hon Sofu: This is because
the Marine Division is now taken care of by headquarters administration.
Mr Gukuna: Accounting
code 5052 – Search and Rescue. May be I
will help the Minister. There has been a
shift that companies responsible for people that are rescued would pay the
cost. We were involved in one operation
and Marine told us to go and ask the companies involved to pay us. And so we went and they paid us.
Whilst this is a very important part of our Marine Division,
given this move that companies that are in trouble will pay, I think the
Ministry could save some money here.
May be what the Marine is doing is not right and needs
to be checked out but that is what is happening on the ground. I think the headquarters should check up this
area.
Hon Sofu: Thank you for
that very important concern. I take note
of that.
Mr Koli: Page 213 - accounting
code 7501 – National Transport fund.
This is a new allocation. Can the
Minister explain the use of this fund?
Hon Sofu: This
allocation of $4million is the commitment of the Government towards the
National Transport Fund.
Head 277 - $30,507,204.00 agreed to
Sitting suspended for lunch break until
Committee of Supply resumes
Head 279 - National
Parliament
Mr Fono: Page 232 – Organizational administration,
what is this head?
Hon Sogavare: This caters for the administration of the
National Parliament Office.
Mr Fono: Page 234 –what
the Office of the Opposition does not have is equipments such as photocopier
machine and so on. It is unfortunate
that the Office comes under the National Parliament and we have been asking for
this for quite sometime for the efficiency of the Office, and I see no vote in
there although our original submission is to try and get equipments for the office.
Hon Sogavare: I appreciate
the concern of the Leader of the Opposition.
His concern can be addressed under accounting code 279-2191.
Mr Hilly: Page 234 –
Leader of Opposition – there is no provision for civil service salaries. Are those people working there come under
wages?
Hon Sogavare: If you look
at page 231, the civil service salary is under that item code at this point in
time until there is proper organization of the Office of the Leader of the Opposition.
Mr Hilly: Page 238 – accounting
code 1035 – NPF Members – what is this?
Are we going to start contributing to NPF?
Hon Sogavare: I understand that
some Members opt to pay their NPF and so deductions continue.
Head 279 - $20,485,130.00 agreed to
Head
281 - Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
Mr Hilly: Where do we
find the headquarter administration civil service salary? The reorganization seems to confuse some of
us.
Hon Sogavare: It is on page
258.
Mr Fono: Under income
– Film Showing Fee – there is a reduction.
The actuals in 2005 was $19,000, in 2006 it was $5,037 and this year it
is only projected at $1,429. Can any
explanation be done as to why there is a reduction?
Hon Sogavare: That same
income also appears under Government Communications as well as it is the
appropriate organization to collect the fees.
I guess there is a film showing fees in the Prime Minister’s Office and
also in the Communication. We feel it is
more appropriate to be collected under the Government Communications Unit.
Mr Rini: Page 258 –
Civil Service Salaries, accounting code 5010 – there is a reduction. Can the Prime Minister explain why there is a
reduction?
Hon Sogavare: The reduction
is all throughout. There has been
vacancies throughout the Public Service which is also affecting the Prime
Minister’s Office, and therefore the sum of $10million of the Public Service
Department will be used to fill up the vacancies. This is basically a reflection of the
vacancies that were advertised.
Mr Rini: Accounting
code 1120 – contract Staff – is this the salaries of Permanent Secretaries or the
salaries of the 17 political appointees?
Hon Sogavare: At the moment,
the Government is engaging four Special Duty Permanent Secretaries who are
responsible for specific tasks. This is
their salaries as PS Consultants.
Mr Hilly:
Constitutional Reform - SG Task Force $180,000. Is the task almost completed and so the
amount is not high.
Hon Sogavare: The
provisions for that appears everywhere. There
is also a very big provision for this in the development budget as well. The work is on schedule as announced by the
Minister of Provincial Government. It is
in the process of finalizing the draft constitution, just the wording of the text. The work is winding down and we feel that we
should be able to have some kind of decisions before Parliament by July or thereabout.
Mr Boyers: Page 268 – accounting
code 2091 – Overseas Travel MPs – I notice no allocation there. Would there be no travel for MPs or
backbenchers this year?
Hon Sogavare: This is for the
Prime Minister’s Private Office. There are
no politicians in that Unit.
Head 281- $23,799,131.00 agreed to
Head
280 - Ministry Of Forestry, Environment and Conservation
Mr Taneko: Accounting
code 2013 – telephones and faxes – is this transferred to other accounts?
Hon Kemakeza: It has been
transferred to pages 245, 246 respectively.
Mr Rini: Page 246 –
Accounting code 1010 - civil service salaries $354,000, almost a 100 percent
increase on civil service salaries. Can
the Minister explain the reason of this very big increase?
Hon Kemakeza: The significant
increase relates to the current recruitment within the Departmental
Ministry. There was an increase of 45
staff.
Mr Boyers: Page 248 accounting
code 0229 - timber levy has a big reduction.
Is this levy of timber from forestry land or customary land? Can the Minister explain why there is a big
reduction?
Hon Kemakeza: This is
income from the department, especially being accounted for and now it is
accounted within the Ministry.
Mr Rini: Accounting code
2051 - freight surface. What is this freight
surface?
Hon Kemakeza: This relates
to freights that normally go through the nine provincial substations within the
departmental ministry.
Mr Taneko: Accounting code
0230 - sale of seeds. Is the Ministry
not selling seeds to encourage local people to plant more trees? This allocation is very small.
Hon Kemakeza: You would see in the development estimates an
allocation of $4million which should go towards reforestation.
Mr Boyers: Page 249, accounting
code 6060 - Customary Forest Regeneration.
The Minister mentioned that $4million is the development budget for
reforestation. In 2006 only $15,000 is
allocated to customary forest regeneration, and in 2007 the allocation is
zero. Is it because customary forest
regeneration was provided for in the development budget and so it was removed
from the administrative budget? Does it
come under a different department?
Hon Kemakeza: This allocation for customary reforestation does not
apply to what I said in regards to the $4million. This is directly from what is entitled from
customary land.
Mr Kwanairara: Mr Chairman,
timber management unit. There is a big
amount of allocation there. What is this
for? Is this for managing of timber or planting of trees?
Hon Kemakeza: Mr Chairman, if you look at the development
estimates you would find a development project phase 2 which should relate to
this allocation on this particular code.
Mr Fono: This is a
policy question. I understand the last
government stopped the export of wildlife.
But this year the export permit is projected $5,000. What is the present government’s policy on
export of wildlife? Is the ban still
stands like the last government or has the ban been lifted?
Hon Kemakeza: Mr Chairman,
the export of species is no longer exported except for administrative costs which
the Department still has to collect, especially the required fees.
Head 280 - $9,927,919 agreed to
Head
282 - Pensions and Gratuities
Mr Fono: Mr Chairman,
this concern was also raised at the
I am just seeking the government’s indulgence if a list
can be provided to all Members of Parliament so that we have information of who
our pensioners are.
Hon Sogavare: Mr Chairman, we
take note of that and we will provide the list.
Hon Rini: Mr Chairman,
accounting code 5001 – provision for pensions.
There is a million dollar provision for this year. What is this? Is there going to be an increase in pensions
or are there new ones who would be entitled this year. Can the Prime Minister explain this
provision?
Hon Sogavare: Mr Chairman,
there is a bill coming through for pensions of former Governor Generals. We will try to get the bill through
Parliament next week and this is to cater for the new terms and conditions of
former Governor Generals.
Head 282- $1,266,816 agreed to
Head
283 – Ministry of Police and National Security
Mr Rini: Mr Chairman,
accounting code 2011 – electricity and gas.
There is a big reduction there of a million dollars. Why is there a big reduction on electricity
and gas for the Police?
Hon Tosika: Mr Chairman, the
reduction is due to the Ministry now being separate from the Ministry of
Justice. This separation of ministries
has made a reduction on electricity and gas.
Mr Boyers: Mr Chairman,
page 284 accounting code 3100 - house rent.
I noticed that there is a big decrease of about $700,000. Does this reflect that housing is available
for Police and so less renting?
Hon Tosika: Mr Chairman,
I think the same reason applies. The
Ministry is not renting houses for lawyers and so forth. It is just for officers in the Ministry of
Police only.
Mr Haomae: Mr Chairman,
page 288 item code 6770 – police capability plan. There is a substantial reduction of $1,740,000. Can the Minister explain the reasons for the substantial
reduction?
Hon Tosika: Mr Chairman,
I think the capability plan started quite sometimes ago and therefore only a
few things are still left to be done and therefore a reduction in allocation is
expected.
Mr Rini: Mr Chairman,
accounting code 1200 - page 287 – emolument.
There is a new budget allocation of $2.45 million for emoluments. Who are these emoluments for? Can the Minister explain?
Hon Tosika: Mr Chairman,
this amount comes about because of a Cabinet Decision that was made on a paper I
put to Cabinet to deliberate on for the payment of officers engaged at the
border during the Bougainville Crisis who are yet to be paid. This amount is for the payment of officers
who bravely stood against securing our borders during the Bougainville Crisis.
Mr Haomae: Mr Chairman,
I did not hear the Minister’s answer to my question because this item is very
important for the purposes of the capability of the police so can the Minister
for Police repeat his answer?
Mr Chairman: Can you go
through your answer again, please Honourable Minister?
Hon Tosika: What I said is
that the police capability plan is not a new plan. It started way back in 2004 – 2005, and there are some activities
under this fund which have been carried out and completed. Therefore, a reduction is expected because some
of the activities have been completed.
Mr
Taneko: Mr Chairman, 3043 – Special
Police Operation is reduced from $400,000 to $200,000, which is a big
difference. This is a very important
area. Can the Minister explain why there
is a big reduction in there?
Hon Tosika: Mr Chairman,
this time the Police is not mounting any special operations but comes directly
under RAMSI and therefore most of the work is done by RAMSI. Our police do not carry out any special
operations at the moment.
Mr Haomae: Mr Chairman,
just a question on policy on the Fire Brigade, its role is completely different. To make it separate from the Police, a draft
bill is with the Attorney General’s Chamber.
If the Minister can follow it up and separate it from the Police. The draft was made when I was then the Minister
for Police. This is just for the information
of the Minister.
The role of the Fire Brigade, I think, is quite
different from the Police. I am saying
this as a matter of policy and not a question.
Hon Sogavare: We will take
note of that information.
Mr Kwanairara: Income
appears there. Is fire truck a public
truck so that it can be hired? Can the
fire trucks or fire engines be hired by the public?
Hon Tosika: Fire trucks are
not for hiring. It is for the Police to use
when a house is on fire the fire officers arrive on time to extinguish the
fire. It is not for hire but it is the property
of the Ministry of Police to ensure our properties in town are safe.
Mr Kwanairara: I am asking
because income is being estimated in here and therefore they must be collecting
revenue for the use of the fire engines.
Hon Sogavare: Mr Chairman,
I think the fire engines were used to be hired before to carry water. That is no longer the case now. As the Minister said the fire engines are on
standby for any outbreak of fire and no longer on hire anymore.
Mr Boyers: This page on
national response unit but there is a big reduction in salaries of about $1.2million
on special duties and allowances. From accounting
codes 2001 to 3001, there are no budgeted items. Does this mean the government is starting to
reduce the capacity of the National Response Unit?
Hon Tosika: In fact this
unit no longer exists. When RAMSI came
in it abolished this unit, it no longer exists, and officers from this unit
were deployed to other units of the Police Force.
Hon Darcy: Supplementary
information to what the Minister has said. If you look at the establishment you will find
that the National Response Unit has been reduced drastically from 68 officers to
35. That basically shows the reduction
and the diminishing recognition of this unit under the present regime, but most
of the salaries components under this unit have been amalgamated to the Police headquarters. In the event there is need to resurrect that
unit, we can always call on the salaries from the headquarters vote to provide
for the provision of emoluments of this particular unit.
Mr Boyers: My question
is correct that there has been a reduction in the National Response Unit. The question is why a big reduction. May be this unit is amalgamated into the Police
Protection Unit, I am note sure. But I
think in light of what has happened in the past there is need for this National
Response Unit. Whether RAMSI is still
here or not, I see the importance of having this unit. I can see there is provision for protective and
defensive equipment. Obviously this is a
good sign of government confidence that there is need for the National Response
Unit to protect the society. So there
has been a reduction as what the Minister has said.
Hon Sogavare: I am glad the
MP is taking this up. We too have
concern on this one. I think this goes
to prove the extent to which the Solomon Islands Police Force has been drastically
reorganized. We are keeping close
consultations with the Commissioner of Police to strengthen the various units
of the Police Force. Mr Chairman, with
the arrival of RAMSI they take on those responsibilities and so we are keeping consultations
with them to re-strengthen those units again.
Mr Taneko: Page 293 –
accounting code 6034 - community policing and touring allowance. This is one of the areas that we need to
promote more but the allocation is very small.
Are we now dropping community policing?
Hon Tosika: We are not dropping
community policing, it is still part of the government’s policy. It is still in the Ministry’s capability plan. Community policing is one of the things, in
the short term, the Police will embark on.
As I have said before, constables will be stationed in villages to carry
out this work. Their names will be
gazetted so that there is respect and dignity on them.
Community policing is part of the government’s policy
that will be embarked upon and we will ensure that it happens.
Sir Kemakeza: A general
question on page 296. This is an
important area for the future of the Police Force, but there is a major
reduction here in the
Hon Tosika: Mr Chairman,
Police training is done under the law and justice program shouldered mostly by
RAMSI and therefore this reduction. The
Academy is still in place and officers are still being trained at the
Mr Rini: Page 297,
accounting code 1010 to 1015. There is a
big reduction in civil salaries and other allowances in the Criminal Investigation
Division. Is this division being
reduced?
Hon Tosika: Mr Chairman,
there are some reductions here. Some
officers in the Criminal Investigation Division are deployed to other
departments and now very few are there. What I know is that some RAMSI officers
are also working in this division and so most of the activities are done by
RAMSI personnel and our officers.
Sir Kemakeza: On accounting
code 3231 - band equipment. Mr Chairman,
I must thank the Minister and the Government for improvement of the Police Band
at the moment. However, I seem to notice
there is a reduction in the provision for band equipments this year. Is there any other provision in the budget for
band equipments because it is important for the Royal Solomon Islands Force?
I think this is an area that more money should be put into
to improve the equipments currently used by the Police Band.
Hon Tosika: The Police
Band at the moment has new equipments bought only last year and that is why it is
affecting their allocation. The Bank
does not expect any new equipment this year.
Sir Kemakeza: There seems
to be a big reduction for provincial police stations of
These reductions indicate that the activities of the Police
in the Provinces will slow down and law enforcement likewise will also not be
carried out because of very limited funding that the government is giving them
except for the substantial increase in salaries.
What is the future of these law enforcement agencies
in the provinces?
Hon Sogavare: Mr Chairman,
we appreciate that comment. The way the
country is moving now is state government.
We will carefully look into the important concern that was raised to see
that the move to state government complements how the law enforcement agencies
throughout the provinces are distributed - the new state governments. These are issues that will come out more
clearly as this state government system is being developed so that we do not starve
the new states of the services of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force.
That is a very valid concern and it is an issue that
all of us, at some point in time, will have to seriously consider when this
issue about the state government system is nurtured through this House.
Mr Taneko: Mr Chairman, allocation
to each of the provinces is at zero level.
Has RAMSI taken over logistic support now so that SIG is no longer
supporting the provinces?
Hon Tosika: As we are
aware a good part of police operations and upkeep now come under RAMSI programs
even right down to things like boats and something like that, and that is why
you see reductions there.
Mr Taneko: Mr Chairman,
just a general comment. Our outstation
police officers are suffering now with their buildings. But when there is no provision in the budget for
provincial stations it means we are not taking care of our officers. I want the Minister to take note that there is
no allocation for improvement of provincial police stations and police houses
for police officers who have families and are living with their families.
Hon Tosika: Mr Chairman,
if you look at the development budget most of the outstations will be renovated
under the development budget. Tetere and Auki police stations all come under
the development budget, the upkeep of these stations and even building of a new
police station in
Mr Riumana: Mr Chairman,
my question is on accounting code 6034 community policing/touring
allowance. I just want to ask a general
question on this item. In the light of the
bottom up approach of this government, community policing is one of the bottom
up approaches. Why is the allocation for
community policing very small?
Hon Tosika: Mr Chairman,
this provision is for touring of places to educate people on community policing. If you look at the development budget
community policing is catered for there with $3 million.
Hon Haomae: Mr Chairman,
on the same item code 6034 – community policing/touring allowance. I noticed that the amount for every province
is the same with $25,000. Even
Hon Tosika: Mr Chairman,
I think sometimes we must be realistic and factual too. Although the provision is small we can use
it.
Talking about Temotu with its scattered islands, we can
program our visits properly so that we live within the means of what is
allocated for in the budget. Sometimes
we must be mindful of how we expend monies too. The Ministry must discipline itself to ensure
that it lives within its budget as indicated in here.
Mr Gukuna: Mr Chairman,
my question is similar to what the Member for Small Malaita has asked. Accounting code 2051 is on freight. There are
some provisions last year but this year there is no provision. Has someone taken over the freights?
Hon Tosika: Mr Chairman, this
is for repatriation of officers back home.
However, part of this is shifted to the Ministry of Public Service.
Head 283 - $84,409,613agreed to
Head
284 - Ministry of Provincial Government and Rural Development
Mr Gukuna: Mr Chairman, page
325 - what has happened to all those items?
Nothing appears there now. Are
they posted elsewhere?
Hon Waipora: Mr Chairman,
this page is a change of coding. If you
look at page 325 which says 284-001-1010 has now moved to the next page and has
changed to 284-0003. Everything on this
page has moved over to page 327.
Mr Tozaka: Mr Chairman,
I notice in the establishment register that there are a lot of vacant posts at
Level 10/11 and other posts as well in almost all the provinces. What effort is the Ministry taking in filling
these posts? This is just a general
question.
Hon Waipora: Those vacant
posts are now being filled. Interviews
are now in progress at the moment to fill the Provincial Secretary post, Deputy
Provincial Secretary post, Provincial Treasurer post and Deputy Provincial
Treasurer’s posts. After those posts are
filled we will then go down to the lower levels. The process is going on very well at this
time.
Mr Chairman, can I just explain one point here. All the pages with zero provision is because the
Ministry of Provincial Government used to combine with the Ministry of Home
Affairs but there is a change in codes and that is why there are zeros in those
pages. In case honorable Members do not
know, this is the explanation.
Mr Gukuna: Shipping
grant to
Hon Waipora: With regards to
provincial services grants, the provincial services grant for this year has
slightly increased to $1million. This
$1million will be shared amongst the nine provinces based on the population of a
province. We will start it off that
way.
We cannot go on further than that because if we
increase it the Ministry of Finance which does the final assessment and
decision on a budget used to cut it down. I just want to inform the House that
provincial services grant this year is increased to $1million, which will be
shared amongst the none provinces. We are
starting off, at least somewhere.
Mr Gukuna: I suggested
to the Minister, and it is good to hear that you have some money for shipping
services in the provinces. I suggest
that you share it according to distance because that is where ships will travel.
For example,
Hon Waipora: It is a great
concern and I take very serious note of it.
Mr Fono: Just a
general question on policy. What
mechanism does the Provincial Government has in place to make sure, for example,
that road maintenance grant is used specifically for roads? My experience is that even grant for road
maintenance,
Hon Waipora: Right now officers
in my office are just recruited and they are there to undertake the program of
taking stock of structures within the provinces, which includes looking very
closely at how grants to provinces are shared.
Three officers have been recruited early this year and
they are working now to look at how grants are disbursed to provinces, so that
they submit to me their report. I want
to look at how the grants are disbursed and how much each province is getting. This is because the systems we have in place
are those of the olden times.
I am taking very serious step to make sure that grants
are equally shared. The services grants
should be fairly shared. I disputed some
of the allocations made by the last government on how it shared $990,000 for
six provinces and $1million each for three provinces. I am looking into this and that is why three
officers are working now on a mechanism the Leader of Opposition is asking
about.
Mr Gukuna: Library
Services Grant applies to all the provinces.
Do all the provinces have libraries?
Hon Waipora: Mr Chairman,
Provinces have provincial libraries and so the Ministry has a small grant to
help libraries in the provinces. This is
for libraries that provincial governments themselves set up. As a government we must assist them with
their libraries. If Rennell/Bellona does
not have one yet you can start one.
Mr Tozaka: Page 340, accounting
codes 2122 and 2150 - hire of plant and maintenance of vehicles. I might not hear very well this morning but I
gather that this service is provided by the Ministry of Infrastructure and
Development. Can the Minister explain
what these two items are for?
Hon Waipora: Mr Chairman,
sometimes we hire volunteers to come and so we must help them. If these volunteers use a vehicle it is the
responsibility of my Ministry to make sure the vehicle is working properly so
that they can do their work. At least
there is provision here to cater specifically for volunteers that are on hire.
Mr Gukuna: I remember my
hardworking Minister when he was talking earlier on mentioned the bottom up
approach budget for the provinces. However,
it looks as though everything is done in the Ministry. This appears inconsistent to me.
Hon Waipora: That is a
general comment. We have passed the
question that is relevant to that, which I have answered. But if you look at the bottom up approach policy
of the government, tours and travel for the Provincial Government headquarters has
increased. Why? This is because I want to send staffs that are
here to go out and encourage the provincial governments to work. Not only to look after the provincial administration
but other officers in the fisheries, agriculture divisions to encourage
them. Bring them together and hold
consultation meetings with them and encourage them to work.
What is happening now is that we are neglecting them and
that is why we blame them as not working.
It is under my direction that the budget must be increased so that the
staff hold meetings, not only in Auki they must go down to
Mr Boyers: Mr
Chairman, in regards to the revenue sharing grant, the allocation is made, in
the light of the comments by the Minister who is reviewing the process of
sharing or disbursing the grants. During
the process of putting together the budget, was there any consultation made
with provincial premiers so as to reflect the needs of provinces through the
government’s agency - the provincial governments? Have you had consultations with provincial
premiers on the revenue sharing and grant sharing process?
Hon Waipora: Mr Chairman,
when we drew up our Budget, I must admit that we did not have any consultations
with provinces. We at least only consulted
the provincial headquarters to make sure they submit to us their real needs for
inclusion in the budget so that whatever we put down in the budget can be
either accepted or not, but it is there.
What is put down here is not full consultation with the provinces except
there is consultation with Premiers and Provincial Secretaries.
What I am intending to do now is to look at the
revenue or income a province produces and share the revenue according to what a
province produces from its resources.
This is to make the revenue sharing grant fair to provinces that have
resources and gain revenue out of those resources. Those that produce much lower revenue will
also be given grant according to what they produce. I can say that the 2008 budget will look much different.
Mr Taneko: Mr
Chairman, I would like to ask a general question to my good Minister regarding
provincial shipping. Some of us in the constituency
are now running shipping services because the Province was not able to deliver such
services. Is it possible for those of us
that run such services have access to this fund through the province to help
us?
Hon Waipora: Mr Chairman, it
would depend on the provincial governments.
The Ministry gives grants as provincial shipping grants and it is entirely
up to the provinces to decide how they would use the grant. I am not going to decide it from here.
I have already detailed to the nine provincial
governments that the provincial shipping grant is for them to look after. If it is necessary for them to charter ships
for teachers and school students to go home, they can use the grant. If the
Premier says no, then that is bad luck.
Mr Tozaka: Mr Chairman,
page 339 on revenue sharing grants from accounting codes 4101 to 4112. This is the traditional way of the government
in sharing grants to the provinces. Listening
to the Minister’s comment on shipping, as the accounting Ministry for these
grants, for him looking down on the performance of the provinces on these
grants, is he happy with how the provincial governments are using these grants
at the moment?
Hon Waipora: If
I get you rightly these grants are paid to the provinces and then it is up to
the provinces to come u p with their own budgets as to how much will be used
for whatever activities. But these are monthly grants paid to every
province.
Mr Haomae: Page
340, Rural Development. I think the RDD stands for the Rural Development
Division. I think this subhead should go
under the Constituency Development subhead that has been moved to the Prime
Minister’s Office. Although the Minister
says some of his officers will tour
Hon Sogavare: We take note of all the comments. But every contingency is being allocated with
$1 million under the RCDF.
Mr Kengava: Mr Chairman, may
be just a point on what the Minister said that provinces are given monthly
grants. I think this is one area that is
giving weakness on the financial power of the province. The amount is very small
that it is taken up by salaries and wages of politicians. I think the grants should be given quarterly
so that it is a big amount of money so that they can go ahead to fulfill their
budgets. This is just a point I would
like to make.
Hon Waipora: I take note
of that point.
Head 284 - $35,802,747 agreed to
Hon Darcy: I beg to move
that further proceedings of the Committee of Supply be adjourned until Monday
19th February.
Parliament resumes
Hon Sogavare: I
beg to move that this House do now adjourn.
The House adjourned at