The Solomon Islands Finance Ministry has temporarily put off spending in many areas of Government.
The permanent secretary of the Ministry, Shadrach Fanega, who was re-appointed to the post last week, says the suspension is necessary to enable the Department to clean up Government finances.
He says some of the spending is no longer necessary, not in the public interest, and not legal.
But Mr Fanega says the suspension will not affect salaries and wages, and such areas as provincial grants and health sector payments.
He says the action is aimed at normalising the Government's costs so they can be brought into line with the 2003 Budget, and at the same time stick to the principles of good governance and sound financial management.
