Caretaker Minister refutes Ma’asina Forum critics.

Caretaker Minister for Provincial Government refutes the statement made by the Forum leader William Gua of the Ma’asina Forum about a recent Ministerial tour to Malaita Province by the Ministry of Provincial Government.

Caretaker Minister Mr. Manasseh Maelanga sends a clear response to the Ma’asina Forum and their spokesman William Gua that the Forum may not be representing the views of the people of Malaita Province in a lot of different ways.

Mr. Maelanga said that most of their media contributions lack proper analysis and strategic support from majority Malaitans and often at times challenge the noble effort to nation building.

Mr. Gua criticized the caretaker Minister Mr. Manasseh Maelanga and his delegation to Malaita Province, said that the government seems to be ‘making fun’ of the province’s leaders.

Mr.Gua in his critics said Ma’asina Forum is disappointed that the government had decided to deploy a delegation to the province to discuss issues and aspirations of the province for political independence at a time when the government is only in caretaker mode.

He further stated that, the Minister and his delegation wanted to hold formal discussions with the Malaita Provincial Government over its wish to pursue attainment of political independence.

“If this government really means business, it should not have stepped in this time, because it no longer has power, it shows they are making joke out of Malaita Province,” Gua said.

Mr. Maelanga however said the National Government of Solomon Islands was, is and will be the government of the people of this country.

“Therefore at no any given time the SIG will use its time ‘make fun’ of any provincial leaders of this nation,” Mr. Maelanga said in respond to the critics.
He further added that Government business never officially ends because of up coming national election, politicians come and go but the Government of Solomon Islands will remain.

Mr. Maelanga explained that, his delegation to Malaita Province is on Official Ministerial duty in his capacity as the Minister looking after 9 Governments of the countries provinces.

He further explained that, his delegation went on a mission to Visit PCDF funded projects administered through the provincial government by the Ministry of Provincial Government.

Throughout the mission the delegation met with the Malaita Provincial Premier and his Executive, administrative staff, local leaders, communities and secondary school students.

Mr. Maelanga said the issue of independence was raised by ordinary people during short and informal meting held throughout the province.

He stated that, as a Minister of the Provincial Government and the law, he is working under the constitution of the country and specifically the Provincial Government Act 1997 in which he his intended to review when he return to Parliament after 2010 national election.