Boyers: Join Govt. to Make Country 'More Prosperous'

The newly sworn-in Minister for Finance and Treasury, Hon. Peter Boyers, says he joins the government "in order to make [the] country ... more prosperous".

Member of Parliament for West New Georgia/Vona Vona, Mr. Boyers, was sworn-in yesterday soon after his arrival from overseas.

In a press conference today, Mr. Boyers explained that he had initially refused offers to join the government but after some consideration decided to compromise for the betterment of the nation.

He told journalists that conditions were made to the Prime Minister to consider before he accepted to join the government.

Mr. Boyers said that one condition was a request not to re-arm the Solomon Islands Police Force, or security personnel.

He added that the Prime Minister was also requested that the presence of the Regional Assistance Mission (RAMSI) be maintained "until national reconciliation of our people and provinces is concluded to the satisfaction of the affected people and provinces".

Mr. Boyers said that the two conditions reflect his confidence in performing his duties as Minister in knowing that peace and stability are pre-requisites to social and economic growth and development.

He added that his move is a "balancing factor to keep Solomon Islands safe and give the prime minister a second chance to lead our country into stability".

Mr. Boyers assured that he will address the issue and 'dig the problem out' on alleged misuse of tsunami-related funds for the Western and Choiseul provinces.

He said that budget report for 2008 will also be prepared.

In related news, Member of Parliament for East Guadalcanal, Hon. Johnson Koli, was sworn-in this afternoon as Minister for Communications, Aviation and Meteorology.

Mr. Koli is the latest member of the Parliamentary Opposition to join the Government following the mass resignation from the government of eight ministers and a government back-bencher earlier this month.

Former Communications Minister, Patrick Vahoe, who has also defected from the Government side, has already rejoined the government side earlier, and was sworn-in as Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resources.

Members of Parliament who were recently sworn in as ministers are Patrick Vahoe, Trevor Olovae, Martin Magga, Martin Sopaghe, Peter Boyers and Johnson Koli.