GOVERNMENT DENIED BOYCOTTING CLAIMS

The Government has denied claims that MPs are boycotting Parliament meetings because they are unhappy over the delay of funds.

The Solomon Star had reported, MPs are unhappy that the Finance Ministry is delaying the release of funds – including the Rural Livelihoods Funds, the Millenium Development Funds, and others.

The report also said the Minister of Planning and Aid Coordination, Connelly Sandakabatu had raised the matter in Parliament.

The issue has reportedly caused Parliament to adjourn two days in a row, because of a lack of quorum.

But a statement from the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet yesterday said, the Solomon Star report is ‘ridiculous and untrue’.

The statement also said ‘this is totally untrue and misleading”.

The statement further said the Government is committed and determined to see important bills are passed.

The statement then denied the report saying ‘at no time did Government MPs demanded money and decided not to attend Parliament’.

Meanwhile, the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet says it is again reiterating its call for the media to report fairly.

In a statement, the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet also described it as ‘unfortunate’ that journalists do not see the Parliament meetings important and do not attend the meetings.

The statement said this results in misleading and misinformation disseminated to the public.

The Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet also said SIBC is the only media frequently seen at Parliament and others never attended nor seen around the premises.

The statement said most journalists rely only on SIBC for information during Parliament sessions, rather than attending Parliament themselves.

It said this has resulted in misinformation – a very bad practice, and lazy journalism.