27 Mar 2007

Solomons auditor says RAMSI needed beyond next year

3:21 pm on 27 March 2007

The Solomon Islands Auditor General, Augustine Floyd Fatai, says the government's intention to have the Regional Assistance Mission leave by December 2008 is not feasible.

Mr Fatai says the government was planning an exit strategy for RAMSI and has earmarked December 2008 as the latest for RAMSI personnel in Solomon Islands.

But, in an interview with the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation, Mr Fatai says that time frame is not practicable because a lot of work still remains to be done with assistance from RAMSI.

Mr Fatai says the assistance provided under RAMSI must be welcomed because its personnel fill in where the country lacks expertise.