Minister of Infrastructure Development Stanley Sofu of Solomon Islands
Sofu said new Ministers who have moved into their ministries "urgently need the same vehicles", stating the government is not in the financial position to purchase new ones.
Mr Sofu was the Minister for Infrastructure Development whilst Mr Idurii was the Minister for National Unity, Reconciliation and Peace.
Speaking at the opening of the three bridges yesterday, Mr Sofu said they would improve transportation and development in the Plains.
Mr Sofu said this project indicated the seriousness of the Coalition for National Unity and Rural Advancement (CNURA) Government in improving infrastructure in rural areas.
prevented the two MPs from attending.
Mr Sofu says the move has been prompted by complaints from tax payers.
Posted at 22:59 on 26 December, 2007 UTCThe Minister for Infrastructure Development in Solomon Islands, Stanley Sofu is calling on MPs in the former government and their political appointees to return government vehicles that were allocated to them.
Speaking to SIBC News, Mr Sofu says the former government had already exhausted funds for buying vehicles and the new government will need to use vehicles that were used by the former government.
Mr Sofu says the new government is in no financial position to buy new vehicles for new ministers.
Mr Sofu says in this case, there was no approval given for the purchase of any vehicle.
Mr Sofu says the fact that shipping routes in many remote parts of the country are very expensive to run, the government will give financial assistance to ship owners who are willing to serve those routes.
The Minister for Infrastructure, Stanley Sofu says six former ministers refuse to leave their government accomodation.
Mr Sofu says that although some of the non-government MPs are still entitled to housing, they should vacate those houses allocated for ministers under the Prime Ministers housing pool.
The Minister of Infrastructure Development Stanley Festus Sofu is planning to table a paper in the March Sitting of Parliament to legislate a proposed National Transport Fund which is aimed at maintaining existing roads throughout the country.
Mr Sofu said under the proposed legislation, the National Government will take over the responsibility to maintain feeder roads in the provinces and in Honiara.
Mr Sofu said the Ministry of Infrastructure Development will include in its 2008 budget, and National Transport Fund that will be used on infrastructure developments.
Mr Sofu said an advantage to having an established commitment by the Solomon Islands government is the expected positive response by donor partners towards the fund.
Radio New Zealand International, New Zealand - Jan 30, 2008The Minister for Infrastructure, Stanley Sofu says six former ministers refuse to leave their government accomodation.
Mr Sofu says that although some of.