BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Member of Parliament for East Choiseul Constituency, Manasseh Sogavare, said the preparations for the 2026 budget need to be urgently rolled out now.

Mr Sogavare said that during the motion of special adjournment on Tuesday this week.

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele, on Tuesday, 27 May, adjourned parliament to Monday, 14 July 2025.

“I think among the three reasons that the Prime Minister mentioned regarding his forthcoming engagement, very important ones have not come out and that is the preparations for the 2026 budget,” said Sogavare.

“It needs to roll out now, this time to achieve some of the redirections that we are trying to do, to emphasise growth and addressing where the strength of the country lies,” said Sogavare.

Mr Sogavare also asked that the Permanent Secretaries look seriously into their budget to emphasise the areas the government should be directly involved in.

“If you go to a hospital right now, you may need to seriously look at that. The government need to be involved directly in health, education and national security. Other areas that the government has statutory responsibility for within the portfolio arrangements with ministers must be delivered. They are essential,” said Sogavare.

He said that the preparation of the 2026 budget will allow the Government to redirect the emphasis of the budget to the essential services that the government must deliver.

“If we cannot deliver a hospital, for example, it means life and death. The security of the nation is important. The education of our future generation is important. So, I hope the Ministry of Finance will seriously look at it, if not start work on the 2026 budget, Mr. Speaker,” said Sogavare.

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