PAC reveals Govt’s $21 Million debt to SINU in tuition fees
BY NED GAGAHE
The Solomon Islands Government still owes the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) approximately 21 million dollars in unpaid tuition fees, with concerns that these arrears could resurface in the 2025 national budget.
This revelation came during the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) hearing this week, where Dr. Franko Rodie, the Permanent Secretary and the team from Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development (MEHRD) appeared before the committee.
Opposition Leader Matthew Wale questioned PS Rodie on whether the government is in a position to settle the arrears this year. “So, you’re confident that the government will settle their obligation this year? Are we not going to inherit the legacy for next year’s budget?” Wale asked.
The Chairman of the PAC, Gordon Darcy Lilo, also expressed concern that, with the government’s requisition calendar closing in December, the outstanding debt may appear again in the 2025 budget. Lilo, who is also the Member of Parliament for Central Honiara, emphasized the urgency of the situation.
In response, Dr. Rodie clarified that the arrears were for second-semester tuition fees.
He explained that the Ministry of Finance and Treasury (MOFT) had shown some leniency regarding the payment.
“From the invoice, I estimate the total amount to be around 21 million dollars. This is the amount SINU has been waiting for, and we hope the outstanding balance will be settled,” PS Rodie stated.
Dr. Rodie further revealed that a delegation from the Vice-Chancellor’s office at SINU recently met with the Prime Minister to discuss how to address the arrears.
However, he added that he was not involved in those discussions and was unaware of the outcome.
“There was a delegation from the VC’s office that met with the Prime Minister, and I believe they reached some agreement on how the arrears will be resolved. Unfortunately, I was not included in that meeting and was sidelined,” Dr. Rodie remarked.
