OPPOSITION SUPPORTS SPECIAL ADJOURNMENT

The Leader of the Parliamentary Opposition Jeremiah Manele has thrown support behind the motion of special adjournment of parliament moved by Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare yesterday.

Prime Minister Sogavare moved that parliament is adjourned to allow the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to deliberate on the 2015 Supplementary Appropriation bill so that government can proceed with preparations for the 2016 Appropriation Bill.

He said a number of government commitments including payment for teachers’ allowances and the claims of police officers engaged in border security are factored into the bill.

Acknowledging the special adjournment, the Opposition Leader said they fully understand the reasons for the adjournment and fully supports the motion.

“I do thank the Prime Minister for moving the Motion of Special Adjournment for us to meet again on Monday 9th of November. I think the reasons that the Prime Minister has outlined are straight forward are very important reasons in terms of the Supplementary Appropriation Bill and the other reasons he mentioned, so we have no difficulties with those so we fully understand the reasons and for that matter this side of the House supports this Motion of Special Adjournment.”

Meanwhile, the Parliamentary Opposition Group is concerned over the late disbursement of allowances to Government sponsored students studying abroad.

In a statement today, the Opposition says it has received complaints from disgruntled students over the unpaid allowances.

The Opposition said it understands that students are preparing to sit for their final exams next week and this is affecting their preparations.

Meanwhile, the Opposition says some students have already been issued eviction notices by their landlords while some could not attend classes.

The statement adds the Government needs to address this issue with urgency.

The Opposition calls on the Finance Minister and the Education Minister to urgently resolve the matter.

 

Meanwhile, a student studying at the USP’s Laucala Campus in Suva told SIBC News via Facebook they are anticipating the allowances by next Tuesday.
But the student who wished for anonymity urged the responsible authority in Honiara to pay up before their exams next week.
Another student also confirmed yesterday it has been two weeks and they are still waiting for their allowances.
The female student who also wished for anonymity said they usually receive their allowances on the first few days of the month.
She said the allowance delay would disturb their exam preparations as they also need financial support.
The student said a few of her colleagues have started borrowing money from other students.