Tutuvatu Forum

Luzman · Joined: 27 Jun 2008 Posts: 2 Location: Luzland

Is this news item a fact or not? Any wantok save givim iumi some hints or factual accounts of any sort. Should it is true, it looks like this is a growing problem for Dr. Sikua and the CNURA.

Solomon Star dated 03rd July 2008 full quote:

PRIME Minister Dr Derek Sikua is accused of drinking too much during his overseas trips.
Opposition leader Manasseh Sogavare laid the charge yesterday.
He claimed the Opposition received negative feedbacks about Dr Sikua’s recent trips from within the Government and also from abroad.

“We were told Dr Sikua had given himself up to excessive consumption of alcohol, misbehaved and missed appointments during some of those trips,” Mr Sogavare said.

“This is a disgrace to the Government and people of Solomon Islands.
“It is also a slap on the Government, as well as the people of this nation, who footed the traveling and accommodation bills and allowance of the prime minister and his delegations.”

A spokesman from the Prime Minister yesterday denied the accusations, describing it as Mr Sogavare’s desperate attempt to discredit Dr Sikua.

Meanwhile, Mr Sogavare has scoffed off claims by the Sikua Government that the former Grand Coalition for Change Government did nothing during its 18 months in office.

“The claims are part of the CNURA Government’s campaign to discredit a government committed to serving the interests and needs of Solomon Islands.

“They are merely diverting the nation’s attention from its failure to deliver the projects in the 2008 budget,” Mr Sogavare said.
He claimed the success rate of his former government’s delivery of services in 2006 was 70 to 80 percent and in 2007 95 percent.

“These achievements were made despite having faced three motions of no confidence and as the prime minister of the former government I am proud of those accomplishments.”

Mr Sogavare said the CNURA government needs to justify to the nation its claims that its performance in the delivery of services is on par with its policies.

“It is now five months since the passage of the 2008 budget but the nation is yet to see the delivery of the $380 million Solomon Islands Government funded projects in the budget.’

The Opposition leader said what the Government achieved since coming into power was the illegal deportation of the former attorney-general.
“Nothing more or nothing less,” Mr Sogavare said.

He said a lot of the projects in the 2008 budget need to be tendered out and if the government is delivering them as it claims then the nation should now be seeing tenders put out.

“Instead the Prime Minister went out promising financial assistance outside of the budget on his provincial tours such as the $3.5 million to Isabel Province for the purchase of a third vessel, $3-million to Choiseul Province also for a vessel and $4-million to Western Province for tourism development.”

Mr Sogavare said the so-called overseas fence-mending trips undertaken by the Prime Minister did more damage than good to the image of Solomon Islands.

Eddie · Joined: 13 Feb 2008 Posts: 129 Location: Kiwi

"He claimed the success rate of his former government’s delivery of services in 2006 was 70 to 80 percent and in 2007 95 percent".

"The Opposition leader said what the Government achieved since coming into power was the illegal deportation of the former attorney-general.
“Nothing more or nothing less,” Mr Sogavare said".

I won't dwell on the PM's personal matters, however, the above two paragraphs caught my eye and would like to know more about the success rates claimed by the opposition leader, and the issue of Moti.

I wonder what are the outstanding projects accounted for the remaining 5% from 2007 as claimed.

I believe the leader of opposition never appreciate the current progress in some of the issues/projects which might impact the nation as whole. Since, Moti's case seems to be his number one agenda, that is why he mentioned "nothing more or nothing less".

Kesu · Joined: 04 Jul 2008 Posts: 5 Location: Karoururu

Let him bark as much as he like. Some people will like the noise because it is like a wild pig is about to be caught at the bay of a big tree roots. Others will not like the same noise night after night when one is trying to have a good sleep. This is a non issue.
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what goes around comes around

Anna · Joined: 17 Dec 2007 Posts: 93

Prime Minister Sikua must stop alcohol drinking. The traffic court case and the parliament incidence are already bad enough. Do not add anymore to the list.

just a thought, should a prime minister be tried for a drink drive incident? It doesnt sound good if they sentence him for drink driving.
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God loves us all

Chala · Joined: 07 Nov 2007 Posts: 144 Location: Fiji

We all know what alcohol can do to a persons life, to their family, to their job and their reputation. I'm sure the PM is a responsible person and knows all that. Alcohol is a social drink nearly everywhere and it is included on certain occasions while socializing with friends, colleagues or VIPs etc except in Solo where theres an attitude to drink to the last coin or drink till they drop. For that and many other reasons if one is seen with a can/bottle of alcoholic drink he/she is seen as a drunkard till proven otherwise. Or is this just my observation?
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One's Life is a journey in a world where one's destiny is influenced by one's surroundings

Vexie · Joined: 15 Dec 2007 Posts: 64

Just as there are two faces to every issues or matters of concern i'm of the same mind to think of alcohol to have advantages and disadvantages to it. However, to continue to trust our PM as being a responsible person yet continues to harbor on the relative negatives as a result of drinking alcohol, that is, without any moderacy sounds funny and is an indication of ignorance or lack of knowledge.

This is not to take the matter personally against our PM but i reckon he should be more considerate about maintaining his good status as a leader in the nation than enjoying the drink just as any other unlearned village alcohol consumer. This does not reflect well on a learned person like our PM. Let alone wise decision making.

On the other hand, Sogavare's source concerning our PM's drinking habit while out overseas is another issue which require careful examination. Being a memeber of a religious party (SDA) which conderm the act of consuming alcohol so much could also instigate so much exaggarated allegations, even if our PM just had a glass of wine during refreshments.
It could also be another ploy from Soga to demean Sikua's trust from the public. Politics blo U fala ea too,,,Mi no clever na

Boss · Joined: 08 Nov 2007 Posts: 92

Wantoks,

The alcohol consumtion allegations against our PM should be verified by anybody close to him on the ground. Was there actual excessive indulgence in alcohol in that earlier Parliament sitting? Were there some truths in his missing schedules of important meetings while overseas? We can only speculate so somebody close to our PM should shed some light into this. [May be Thughuve could enlighten us .... but not angrily on this!!]

I know it is bad to comment on personal habits but since Sikua occupies a position of high regard and public scrutiny, he must be conscious of the everyday attention he is receiving from his arch rival, Mr. sogavare. If there is a drinking problem, it is time to face up and acknowledge that weakness and work on addressing it. A leader of the Conservative (?)party in England gave up his position a few months back by acknowledging his alcohol problem and taking time off to work on it. It is not easy but that is a possibility to maintain integrity in this era where personal reputation is crucial not only for politics but for 'bread and butter' considerations.

If the Leader of Opposiition is beating the drum on Sikua's alcohol consumption for political reasons and religious extremism, then it is a shame to have such a leader. Sogavare must also own up to his weaknesses and to acknowledge that his government did virtually nothing during his reign. His only contribution was a messed-up diplomatic relations with important neighbours and donors. I am of the opinion that Sogavare is not reputable enough to even utter words of worthwhile leadership as he has proven himself worthless for the calling of being a leader. He is still crying foul on Moti's deportation by the Sikua Government - an anger undoubtedly stirring the anti-RAMSI/anti-Sikua statements in the last couple of weeks.

Either way, I wish the PM himself or his office make relevant responses to the accussations levelled against him by Sogavare to retain leadership integrity with citizens and local voters. At the same time, if there is a real alcohol problem, deal with it appropriately.

As for Sogavare, it is time to face the fact that no decent Solomon Islander will ever listen to his talks of transparency and leadership blah blah for he has brought nothing but disgrace to the country we today celebrate its 30th year since inception.

Happy 30th Anniversary Solomon Islands and oloketa wantoks!

May our leaders crave for honesty and positive determination in 'tomorrow years' not forgetting the lessons from yesteryears!!

Boss

esia · Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2008 5:49 pm Post subject:

If family members, relatives, workmates(Soga) and friends of the PM notice that alcohol is consumed too frequently( like on daily basis) and excessively then it is worth noting. Our PM might suffer form alcohol dependency or addiction. If this is the case, he needs early medical attention to safe guard both his physical and mental health. This then becomes a national concern.

Mataaku · Joined: 25 Jun 2008 Posts: 20

We are yet to see any source of claimed by Sogavare, in which we discussed here. I suspect, if the news source is from Australia, we all know this is where MOTI and Company has settled. If its from Taiwan or China, they are the ones who guarantee Sogavare's real estate loan or whatever the arrangement.

What I can assured readers here is that the moment a politician enter any personal attack, it is greater sign of desperation. Sogavare is one MP down, and any intension of moving any motion of no confidence, is a waste of taxe payers money.

sv · Joined: 06 Nov 2007 Posts: 195 Location: japan

The leader of opposition needs to verify his accusations against our PM, or else it is just another desperate attempt by Soga to tarnish the image of our current ruling coalition.
On the other hand, I hope our PM is not indulging too much in liquor especially when he is supposed to attend to very important appointments and occassions.
All of us knows the bad effects of consuming too much alcohol on our health. I believe our PM knows this too well.
Probably it is just another ploy by Soga n company to win over support from any disgruntled govt MPs. Who knows! Politicking is also sometimes too childish!!!!!!!!!!!

dakivolo · Joined: 06 Nov 2007 Posts: 89

I agree that the outcry from the Opposition leader regarding the over indulgence of our PM on alcohol need to be further investigated and verified, although some of us in this forum know too well that our PM and some Guale MPs cannot live without alcohol for at least a day. For some of our MPs, including the PM, alcohol has been part of their life since their student days at University. I am sure they are aware of the negative effects of alcohol and what alcohol can do to their health, their work and family life, but they just can’t break the habit. Thus, no amount of criticism from anybody will make them stop. Rather, they need to be encouraged to seek professional counselling, so that any decision for them to break the habit of drinking has to come from within themselves.
Not withstanding the above comments, I think the Prime Minister and all MPs need to be reminded that as leaders they are expected to lead in a sober and dignified manner at all times. This means that they should not indulge in activities that undermine their reputation and that of the role they play as national leaders. Our people want their leaders to observe the highest level of ethical conduct and to be sober and in their normal frame of mind at all times. Thus, the PM and all MPs who cannot live without alcohol need to be encouraged to control their drinking and stop this unacceptable habit at some point in time in their life, in order to uphold the integrity of the positions they hold in our country’s highest office.

AK47 · Joined: 08 Nov 2007 Posts: 233

Guys,

I don't think alcohol consumption (as far as our politicians concern) is not as frightening as seeing dead people, let alone the "conversation part". We need to be clear on that that for a man to drink a few beer and had a good time is better than walking into an office on the day of inauguration and sat down with a man died some ten years ago.

Talem Sogavare!
_________________
For of all sad words of tongue or pen,
The saddest are these:
It might have been.
............
John Greenleaf Whittier

Vexie · Joined: 15 Dec 2007 Posts: 64

AK47

I agree with you, however, 'few beers' in SI context no matter how educated a person is, ranges from 12 SB and above. This is the dangerous conservative practice our Society had been comfortable with. Inparticular the excessive or immoderate drinkers. That's not to generallize the issue and say that all alcohol consumers in our society are immoderate, there are reasonable drinkers.

Nevertheless, they do it out of their own pockets right? Let alone their own family judge on that.

For our PM Sikua's case, being a public figure and a respected leader like him he seriously need to consider the leader of the opposition's comments though it might be used as a ploy, which of course is apparent.

AK47 · Joined: 08 Nov 2007 Posts: 233

I agree with you that alcohol has a negative impact on the lives of our citizens, and especially when drinkers themselves are "alcoholics". But it should not be a matter of national interest if the OP accuses the PM of drinking too much beer just to sway public opinion. Being a leader doesn't make one a saint. If this is the case, there should be laws passed to ban all forms of alcohol. I bet you all MPs do drink either moderately or as a matter of formality.
Excessive alcohol intake should be discouraged, but it should be the problem of individuals. If the PM gets into trouble, he is liable for his own demises and not the country. To accuse the PM of alcohol when there are many many issues facing our nation is just a distraction. How about multiple divorces and remarriages? That is a big issue right there that Sogavare appeared to championed.
For the OP to accuse the PM of beer is just pathetic. Get down to the real issues facing our nation and stop whining about beer. Our government is taxing beer like crazy and now they are barking loud over who drinks it? that ridiculous.

Excessive drinking should be discouraged, but this should be a personal issue unless it obstructing government's activities.
_________________
For of all sad words of tongue or pen,
The saddest are these:
It might have been.
............
John Greenleaf Whittier

Vexie · Joined: 15 Dec 2007 Posts: 64

AK47,

Your points are well comprehended. However, assuming that our PM now is an 'Alcoholic'. Isn't there any parallel negative impact it may have Nationally? Cos if it did then it's for sure is a matter of national interest to me. Might be short sighted of me to think this way, need more insights into this issue.

OUR PM's (any PM at all) personal negative habits Vs National matters.

Someone may want to enlighten us on the pros and cons of such issue.