OPPOSITION QUESTION MINISTER FOR KONGULAI LOGGING

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BY GEORGINA KEKEA

THE water crisis in Honiara have been raised in parliament with questions being bombarded at the Mines Minister, Bradley Tovosia. 

Being head of the Ministry responsible for Solomon Water, Tovosia was being questioned on what government is doing to address the water 'turbidity' issue in Honiara when parliament last met.

In response, Tovosia said his Ministry will work together with Solomon Water to ensure a treatment plant is installed at Lunga River.

However, Mr. Wale says this is a medium term plan and asked what the immediate plan of the government is when water is switched off.

He said $10m was understood to be the amount of money needed by Solomon Water to install a treatment plant at Kongulai and he questioned what government will do to assist Solomon Water.

Solomon Water volunteer and his counterpart Josh Torenn testing Honiara’s main water supply at the Kongulai water source (Photo DFAT)

From his response, it was clearly evident the Mines Minister have not met with Solomon Water yet on the water crisis.

Instead Mr. Tovosia says he will meet with the team from Solomon Water as soon as possible.

"I have asked them three times for a meeting but they were often busy. You know how it is, 'white men tend to do things differently", Tovosia said.

 A comment that did not go down well with the Opposition Leader. 

Mr. Wale told Tovosia, he need not be unpleasant in his comments and said that his office made it a MUST to be briefed by agencies in their operations.

"Just for you to be aware", Wale said. 

He said a well informed Opposition will ask the right questions to the government.

ENDS///



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