Decentralisation a key priority for new Kiribati leader
Decentralisation, free education and reforms to copra prices are some the main priorities of the new Kiribati administration under president Taneti Maamau.
Transcript
Decentralisation, free education and reforms to copra prices are some the main priorities of the new Kiribati administration under president Taneti Maamau.
Maamau's presidency is the first change in leadership the country has seen in over a decade after the retirement of former president Anote Tong ended the dominance by the BTK party.
President Mamaau told Koroi Hawkins he is excited about the journey ahead but says he is also aware the people of Kiribati have high expectations.
TANETI MAAMAU: Well there are enormous challenges; population, urbanisation issues, youth unemployment, and the need to develop the infrastructure - most of the infrastructure needs upgrading.
KOROI HAWKINS: Now the mandate from the people that came in with your administration is obviously for change. How do you plan to deliver that change?
TM: Oh [laughs], that's quite a difficult question. Yes of course the mandate was quite clear from the voting, the landslide victory, I think people desperately need change and we need to sort of sequence that. The urgent needs should come first and wishes, they come at a later stage.
KH: Now, as you're going into your administration - I understand it's only a few weeks now - is it becoming clearer what are the priorities?
TM: Yes of course, I think the first is the needs by the copra covers to increase the copra price from $1 a kilo to $2 a kilo, and that means breaching the cap to assist those who really need the assistance - more cash in their pockets. Also, the free education, I think the message was quite clear that for those who do not have enough to support their children school fees are quite expensive. We have a plan to close the gap within the island economies under central government, so people on the outer islands would no longer look at Tarawa as the main driver of income and job opportunities. They may also look for job and income opportunities on their own islands, that was the plan.
KH: Now, the previous administration of Anote Tong had a big focus on climate change and on international representation of Kiribati on the world stage. Are you planning to continue that direction or focus more on local politics?
TM: I'll try and find where the balance should be maintained. At the moment I'm trying to find what sort of climate change policy that we have put in place, but I still haven't found that and I'm still looking for it, so that might guide me over the focus on climate change. Yes, where there's a need to concentrate and put more effort at the international forum I'm ready to continue that.
KH: Right. And in terms of your party now being the first in 12 years to come through with a change for Kiribati, how does it feel as the new president of a new administration and government?
TM: We were very overjoyed by the - I mean, we are very happy but there are a lot of things waiting for us to try and improve, but yes, I'm feeling excited and very happy, especially by the mandates that the people of Kiribati has shown.
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