18 Mar 2013

Premier of tsunami-hit Solomons province clarifies criticism of aid agency

3:47 pm on 18 March 2013

The premier of Solomon Islands' Temotu province says some of the criticism that has been attributed to him of one of the lead aid agencies providing post earthquake and tsunami relief in the region was misleading.

The Solomon Sunday Star reports Father Charles Brown Beu as saying he has yet to receive a report from World Vision and he is unhappy with the way the organisation is conducting its operation on the ground.

Father Charles says the only fault he has found with World Vision is its failure to report to him on the work it is doing and the funding it has received since it began its operation after the early February disaster.

He says as the premier he needs to know exactly what all the agencies are doing.

"At least there should be a written report coming to my office so that I'm aware of what's going on. Because a lot of people from outside call the premier's office, they don't call the NGOs, for that matter. And if I do not have the correct information, like now, we're having an interview, then it's difficult for me to just say anything I wish to say."

Father Charles Brown Beu says there are still more than 100 people living under temporary shelter in the provincial capital, Lata.