BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
MEMBER of Parliament for Central Honiara Hon Alfred Efona has called on all members of parliament to work together and leave their petty politics aside.
Addressing his fellow colleagues during the parliament meeting last week he said the road before the country is a strategist, mountain path as alluded to by his Excellency.
“There are now more than a thousand Solomon Islanders who have lost their job with an estimate of 153 businesses affected by the November riot,’ said Efona.
“A total reconstruction cost of over 720million sbd is needed for the losses and to repair our economy, not to mention the covid19 outbreak earlier this year which is now ongoing,’’ Efona said.
He said that these are indeed challenging times for Solomon Islands’ growth and MPs cannot continue to overlook rebuilding a resilient economy without learning how to work together.
“If there is one thing that we have learnt from the events of the riots and the covid19 outbreak, it is the fact that we need to build a strong reserve for our country’s economy and we need to learn how to work together,’’ he said.
The Central Honiara MP further said that the working together should not only with and for or amongst themselves (MPs) but with the churches and the people.
“As Christians within our own rights it is important to ask the question what principal or perspective or lessons is required to address the many challenges we are now facing,’’ he told MPs.
“Let us help each other to achieve what is necessary to see and that we continue to achieve the outcomes successfully,’’ he said.
Hon Efona again reiterates that it is now time for all members of the house both within the opposition and government to forget petty politics and beg to work together.
“We have much ahead of us and if we cannot allow unity now, we will not be able to lead this country forward and we will only create a dilemma that is far much worse than what we already have in the hands,’’ he stressed.
He warned MPs that their petty differences will not change the fact that at the end of the day they are still one people.
“The government needs the Opposition and the Opposition needs the government, no one has one monopoly overpower.
He said each MP’s monopoly over power in terms of their individual leadership portfolios must also be respected by each member.
“We must learn how to deal with complex political ideologies and visions; ethically balance approach restrengthening our unique differences and competences in meaningful debates and discussions.
He further pointed out that working together can be seen as a tool to help them (MPs) make the right decision, especially in moving this country forward.
“We are the peak, representatives of the principals of our representative’ democracy as we lead within our respective constituencies. It is important that our conduct continue to operate within the boundaries and limits of professional calls of behaviour and ethical standards,’’ said Efona.
He said that right now it’s the right attitude of humility and unity and working together that will take SI forward especially in light, competencies, and talents about rebuilding the economy, overcoming the pandemic and preparing ourselves for the south pacific games 2023.
