ABANA APPLAUDS LUSIBAEA OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE

Mr Lusibaea

By Andrew Fanasia Jr.

Opposition Leader, Steve Abana has commended the Member of Parliament for North Malaita, Jimmy Lusibaea for his outstanding performance in his capacity as the Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resources.

Mr Abana said he was impressed with reports from the Ministry of Fisheries And Marine Resources about Mr Lusibaea’s performance and he believes should the North Malaitan MP be given the opportunity to complete his parliamentary term, he would excel in his leadership role.

He said one of the outstanding achievements of the ministry under the leadership of Mr Lusibaea was the successful negotiations with Japan, Korea and Taiwan from the 26th of October to the 11th of November that resulted in an agreement to double the access fees for foreign vessels to fish in Solomon Islands waters next year.

The Opposition Leader said according to the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, this was the first time the country successfully negotiated doubling its fishing access fees and thus Mr Lusibaea deserves commendation by the government and people of Solomon Islands for this exceptional achievement.

“Mr Lusibaea’s outstanding performance and his continued assistance to community groups touched many hearts and this speaks loud and clear of the totally changed person he is now to what he was during the ethnic tension.”

“Solomon Islands needs enthusiastic leaders like Mr Lusibaea who are keen to learn and to carry out their official obligations to the best of their ability,” Mr Abana said.

The Opposition Leader meanwhile said he was stunned by the attitude of some ministers and supporters of the NCRA Government offering the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources portfolio immediately after the North Malaita MP was taken into custody last week after pleading guilty to murder.

“It is totally insulting that some government ministers and supporters of the go ringing up some Opposition MPs offering them the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources portfolio despite the fact that he is yet to be sentenced.

“Such attitude clearly demonstrates that the government’s allocation of a ministerial portfolio to Mr Lusibaea was merely for numbers,” Mr Abana said.