5 Jan 2007

Solomon Islands government orders those not entitled to live in government homes to vacate

11:14 am on 5 January 2007

The Solomon Islands government has warned that those not entitled to living in government quarters should vacate them immediately.

The warning was issued by Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Service, Ishmael Avui, after various attempts by government to evict illegal occupants failed.

Mr Avui says the illegal occupants include former politicians and public officials but would not disclose how many.

Mr Avui said it was important to deal with the problem of illegal occupants in government housing as government was spending too much on house rentals for politicians and public officers.

He said the government had spent more than $3.2 million U.S dollars on housing last year.