Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698054148752.pdf (Kiribati)
QUESTIONS TO GOVERNMENT The following Oral Questions are to be asked and answered in the Maneaba ni Maungatabu on Wednesday 28 April 2021.

The numbers refer to the Questions as entered in the Order Book.

By Hon.

Bakaia Kiabo, MP (Kiritimati & Kanton) OQ91.

E kona te Minita ae e karineaki n te Reirei ni kabwarabwara bwa bukin tera ngkai ataein te reirei man te Aono ni Mainiku ake a karaoa aia kabwaati nakon aia koraki 4 aki karokoaki n reirei are a moan rinerine nako iai?
Rairana/Translation Could the Honorable Minister of Education explain the reason why students from the Line Islands who sat the examinations for Form 4 were not selected to the secondary schools as per indicated in their first choice?

Reply by Hon.

Alexander Teabo, MP (Minister of Education) Te Tia Babaire, te rinerine nakon koraki aua (4) ibukiia ataein te Aono n Raina e karaoaki n kaineti ma te babaire ae e boou.
Rairana/Translation Madame Speaker, the selection of form four students from the Line and Phoenix Islands was done in accordance with the new policy.

By Hon.

Tewaaki Kobae, MP (Tabuaeran) OQ81.

E na okira ni ngai kibana Air Kiribati n te Aono n Raina?

Rairana/Translation When will Air Kiribati resume its flight in the Line Islands?

Reply by Hon.
Reply by Hon.

Tekeeua Tarati, MP (Minister of Information ,Communication, Transport and Tourism Development) Iai te katautau bwa e na kona n okira kibana te Aono n Raina imwain banen te ririki aio.

1 Rairana/Translation It is expected that the flights in the Line Islands will resume before the end of this year.

By Hon.

Betero Atanibora, MP (Abaiang) OQ21.


N na butia te Tautaeka bwa e na roko n ningai tibwan Abaiang te truck ngkai ti kakoaua ao bon ti tewaana are e roko ao nikiraia a bon kararaoma n te tokaraki?

Rairana/Tranalation I will request Government to provide an update on the status of Abaiang’s share of truck since there is only one received and in use while the rest are not safe?

Reply by Hon.
Reply by Hon.

Alexander Teabo, MP (Minister of Education) Te Tia Babaire, I kukurei n taekinna bwa e nang waaki karaoan te kabobwai ngkai e a tauraoi mwanen baoia ataei iaon abamwakoro ni ikotaki ma Abaiang.

Rairana/Translation Madame Speaker, I am pleased to advise that the procurement will commence shortly as the funding for students’ transports on the outer islands including Abaiang is now available.

By Hon.

Taberannang Timeon, MP (Tabiteuea Meang) OQ124.


E kona te Tautaeka n taekinna nakon Kiribati ao riki te Itera Maiaki bwa tera raoi ana iango ibukin Kieia Ataei hospital are i Tabiteuea Meang, e na katikua n arona bwa e na mka ao ni mauna rabwatana ke e na wakina te onobwai ae e kainanoaki n te tai ae e waekoa?
Rairana/Translation Could Government inform Kiribati and particularly the Southern Islands its plan for Kieia Ataei hospital located on Tabiteuea Meang its real intentions whether to allow same to rot and disappear physically or to carry out much needed repair work as soon as possible?

2 Reply by Hon.
2 Reply by Hon.

Dr. Tinte Itinteang, MP (Minister of Health and Medical Services) E rabwa ana tabeka te Tia Tei temanna ae e karineaki mai Tabiteuea Meang ao I kukurei ni kaongoa te Maneaba aio bwa e tauraoi te Tautaeka ni karaoa te mwakuri n onobwai nakon SKH i Tabiteuea Meang.

Rairana/Translation I am delighted to inform this Maneaba that the Government is ready to carry out major renovation once the funding is secured.

By Hon.

Dr. Kautu Tenaua, MP (Abaiang) OQ88.


E na tauraoi n ningai te Tautaeka ni kabwakai rooia ataein Kiribati?

Translation/Rairana When will the Government be ready to pay full school fees for all Kiribati students?

Reply by Hon.

Alexander Teabo, MP (Minister of Education) Te Tia Babaire, ae e mwakuria aio au Botaki ni Mwakuri ma reirei n Aaro rinanon te boraraoi are e tia n tiainaki n Tianuare, 2021.
Rairana/Translation Madame Speaker, my Ministry is working on this in collaboration with mission schools through the memorandum of understanding signed in January, 2021.

By Hon.

Pinto Katia, MP (Makin) OQ112.

E kona te Tautaeka ni kabooi mwiin kiban Makin ake a tia ni mauna n tain aki kikiban ana wanikiba?

Translation/Rairana Can Government re-schedule mission flights to Makin?

Reply by Hon.
Reply by Hon.

Tekeeua Tarati, MP (Minister of Information, Communication, Transport and Tourism Development) E tauraoi au Botaki ni Mwakuri rinanon Air Kiribati ni buoka te kangaanga aio.

3 Rairana/Translation My Ministry through Air Kiribati stands ready to address the issue.

By Hon.

Tewaaki Kobae, MP (Tabuaeran) OQ122.

E kona te Tautaeka ni katoka te kanganga ae taren te kaako ma te bwaa n te Aono n Raina ngkai e kakoauaki bwa e teimatoa n riki n taai aikai?
Rairana/Translation Shortage of fuel and cargoes in the Line & Phoenix Group remain a serious issue.

Can Government provide remedial measure to this?

Reply by Hon.

Booti Nauan, MP (Minister of Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives) Te Tibika, eang, e teimatoa te Tautaeka n mwakuria aron tobwaan te kanganga aio.

Rairana/Translation Madam Speaker, yes, Government continues to work tirelessly in addressing this issue.

By Hon.

Nantongo Timeon, MP (Teraina) OQ154.


N na butia te Minita are tabena bwa e na kamataata bwa e a bwaka ia mwakurian te backpay ibukia ake a aki mwakuri ao mwane ni kara ibukia kaain Teraina ake akea aia bongi ni bung ma a tia ni karaoi ma te bowi ao ni karokoi mwiia n te MWYSA?
Rairana/Translation May I request the responsible Minister to explain what progress has been made on the backpay for unemployment and senior citizen funds for the people of Teraina who did not have birth certificates but have processed these with the court and submitted them to MWYSA?

Reply by Hon.
Reply by Hon.

Martin Moreti, MP (Minister of Women, Youth, Sports and Social Affairs) I kukurei n taekinna bwa a tia n reke aia bongi ni bung ake aki mwakuri ao kaara mai Teraina iroun au Botaki ni Mwakuri ao a tauraoi ngkai ni irii bwakamwane aika imwina.

4 Rairana/Translation I am pleased to advise that birth certificates for the unemployed and senior citizens from Teraina have been received by my Ministry and so they will be receiving their allowance in the next payment.

By Hon.
By Hon.

Dr. Kautu Tenaua, MP (Abaiang) OQ123.

Ti kaongoaki bwa e a maan n tare te bwatin n tioka n te O n aoraki n te maan ae uoua tabun te namwakaina.

Tera bukina ngkai e tare te bwatin aei ao a na roko n ningai?

Rairana/Translation We were informed that diabetes medicine has been out of supply for over two months now.

Why is this so and when will the supply of this much needed medicine arrive?

Reply by Hon.
Reply by Hon.

Dr. Tinte Itinteang, MP (Minister of Health and Medical Services) E kukurei ni kaotia te Botaki ibukin te Mauri ao Katoki Aoraki bwa bon iai bwainaoraki ibukin te aoraki ae te tioka inanon bain te onaoraki.

Rairana/Translation MHMS is happy to advise that medicines for diabetes treatment is in stock at hospital and across health clinics.

By Hon.

Taberannang Timeon, MP (Tabiteuea Meang) OQ126.


E mwaiti ngkai te tabeaianga irouia ara kaimoa ibukin teimatoan aia mwakuri iaon kaibuken riki ana kaibuke SPMS, ngkai a mwaiti kaimoa man aaba tabeua aika a onei ngkai mwia.

Tera ae e a tia ni karaoia te Tautaeka ni kamatoai nneia ma aia mwakuri ara kaimoa?
Translation/Rairana There is a lot of concern by seafarers for the security of their continuing employment on overseas vessels, especially SPMS vessels as their places have been taken over by seafarers from other countries.

What has Government done to secure the employment of our seafarers?

5 Reply by Hon.

Taabeta Amuera Teakai, MP (Minister of Employment and Human Resource) Hon.

Tibika, I kukurei n taekinna bwa iai baika e a tia n wakin te Tautaeka ibukin kamatoan nneia n mwakuri kaimoa.
Rairana/Translation Hon.

Speaker, I am pleased to inform that the Government has carried out a number of commitments to secure seafarers placements.

By Hon.

Tekiau Aretateta, MP (Tabuaeran) OQ130.

E rikirake buakakan te kawai iaon Tabuaeran riki n te itera are i Meang.

E kona ni ibuobuoki te Tautaeka iaon aei?

Rairana/Translation The road condition in the northern part of Tabuaeran is in bad shape.

Can the Government assist in this matter?

Reply by Hon.
Reply by Hon.

Mikarite Temariti, MP (Minister of Line and Phoenix Islands Development) E tauraoi au Botaki ni Mwakuri ae MLPID ni manga reitaanako te karao kawai i Tabuaeran n te itera are i Meang ngkana e tia raoi te manga baronga.

Rairana/Translation My Ministry is ready to complete Tabuaeran road upgrading Project at the northern part of the island once a revised arrangement is in place.

By Hon.

Tinian Reiher, MP (Butaritari) OQ135.


N aron ae e ataaki ao ataei aika a mwauku ae a bwaka aia ririki iaan 5 te ririki e aki reke nakoia te buoka are e reke nakoia mwauku.

E kona te Minita ae e karineaki n te MWYSA n kabwarabwara bwa tera raoi bukina ngkai e aki reke te buoka nakoia ataei aikai?

Translation/Rairana It is known that handicapped children under the age of 5 years are not eligible to the disability allowance paid to handicapped people.

Could the Hon.
Could the Hon.

Minister for MWYSA explain reasons why handicapped children are not eligible to such benefit?

6 Reply by Hon.

Martin Moreti, MP (Minister of Women, Youth and Social Affairs) I kukurei n taekinna bwa e kona n reke te mwane ni mwauku nakoia ataei ake iaan nimaua (5) te ririki iaan te Kainibaire are ngkai.

Rairana/Translation I am pleased to advise that children under the age of five (5) can benefit from the disability support allowance (DSA) in line with the current DSA Policy.

By Hon.
By Hon.

Ioteba Redfern, MP (Betio) OQ165.

Iai au bubuti are I tabekia n te Maneaba ae e nako ibukin katoan baoia taian clinics iaon Betio ae te rebwerebwe.

E a bwaka iaa kaekan te titiraki aio?

Rairana/Translation Last meeting, I raised a request regarding the need of transport for all clinics in Betio.

What is the update response for this question?

Reply Hon.
Reply Hon.

Dr. Tinte Itinteang, MP (Minister of Health and Medical Services) I kukurei n kaongoa te Maneaba aio bwa au Botaki ni Mwakuri ma te Botaki ni Mwakuri ibukin Tautaeka Inanoa, e na tara te bubuti aio rinanon te rabwata ae te HPSIF (Health and Police Services Improvement Fund Committee).
Rairana/Translation I am happy to inform this Maneaba that my Ministry is working closely with the Ministry of Internal Affairs through the Health and Police Services Improvement Fund Committee to look into this request.

By Hon.

Tauanei Marea, MP (Nikunau) OQ139.


E a rangi ni maan n tuai man tei ana auti n tataninga Nikunau n ana marae ni wanikiba ao e korakora te mwengabuaka iaan te riringa ma te karau irouia kain Nikunau n taai ni kiba ngkai e rangi ni uarereke te auti ngkai ae e kabonganaki bwa te tabo ni katine ao n tataninga.

I kan butia te Minita are tabena bwa e a kabwarabwara bwa tera ae e karika te mwaarara ao tera ae e riai ni karaoaki iai?
7 Rairana/Translation The construction of the terminal in Nikunau airfield has been prolonged and is causing a lot of discomfort to the people of Nikunau as there is very little shelter offered from the small local hut currently used as a terminal.

I would like to ask the Minister responsible to explain the cause of the delay and solutions available?

Reply by Hon.
Reply by Hon.

Tekeeua Tarati, MP (Minister of Information, Communication, Transport and Tourism Development) I a rimoa ni karautaeka n te iremwe nakon katiakin ana auti ni tataninga Nikunau n ana marae ni wanikiba.

Te mwarara nakon te itera aio bon man kamatoan kainibaire ibukin katean te terminal ni kaineti ma Tuan te Airport ao Tuan te kibakiba, ao ai man iran naba te kainibaire ibukin taian karikirake.
E ngae n anne ao I kukurei n taekinna bwa e a taubobonga aio ao e nang waaki kanakoan te tender ibukin te kateitei.

Ni kaineti ma te project plan ao e katautauaki bwa e na tia ana terminal Nikunau ni banen October 2021.

Rairana/Translation I begin with an apology for the prolonged delay in the construction of Nikunau Terminal.

The delay is due to the need to align the project with airport and civil aviation regulations and as well as the need for the project to follow project procedures.
Nevertheless, I am delighted to state that such arrangements stated above have been completed and the tender for the construction of the terminal will be advertised soon.

According to the project plan, Nikunau airport terminal will be completed by end of October 2021.

By Hon.

Tebao Awerika, MP (Betio) OQ147.

N na butia te Tautaeka ngkana e kona ni kabwaka boon te mwakuri are e kaineti ma Security Guards nakon te mwaiti ae $1.50 n te aoa, taiaoka?
Translation/Rairana Can Government pay $1.50/hr service charge for security services, please?

Reply by Hon.

Taabeta Amuera Teakai, MP (Minister of Employment and Human Resource) Te Speaker, e tauraoi au Botaki ni Mwakuri n rinanoa aio man mwakuria te bubuti aei.

8 Rairana/Translation Madam Speaker, my Ministry is ready to work on this request.

By Hon.

Nantongo Timeon, MP (Teraina) OQ153.


Inanon boowi aika a nako ao I bubuti ana buoka ara Tautaeka ibukin karokoan taian kaa mai Tarawa nako Teraina rinanon ana kaibuke ana kambwana ae KNSL.

Tabeua mai buakon kaa aikai bon trucks aika ai uoua tabun ririkia n tiku i Tarawa.

E kona te Tautaeka ni waekoa ni ibuobuoki n aei?


Rairana/Translation In previous meeting, I requested assistance from our Government in facilitating the shipment of vehicles from Tarawa to Teraina through its shipping company KNSL.

Among these vehicles are two trucks that have awaited shipment on Tarawa for over two years.

Can Government promptly assist on this?

Reply by Hon.
Reply by Hon.

Tekeeua Tarati, MP (Minister of Information, Communication, Transport and Tourism Development) E na tauraoi au Botaki ni Mwakuri rinanon KNSL ni buoka te kangaanga aio nakon kabanean angaraoina.

Rairana/Translation My Ministry through KNSL stands ready to find ways in addressing the issue most appropriate.

By Hon.

Koraubati Remuera, MP(Maiana) OQ161.

Iai kainanoan katamaroa nakon ana kateitei tabeua Tewaiwai JSS iaon Maiana.
I kona ni butia te Minita are tabena iai te ibuobuoki ae e kona ni karaoia?

Rairana/Translation There is a need to renovate some JSS buildings on Maiana.

Can I ask the Minister responsible whether there will any assistance that can be rendered?

Reply by Hon.

Alexander Teabo, MP (Minister of Education) Te Tia Babaire, e tauraoi au Botaki ni Mwakuri n rinanoa te bubuti aio.

9 Rairana/Translation Madame Speaker, My Ministry will consider this request.

By Hon.

Ioteba Redfern, MP (Betio) OQ164.


A bubuti Taan takakaro iaon Betio ngkana e kona n reke aia tabo n takakaro ibukin te nete, te basketball ao te tennis?

Rairana/Translation Sports players in Betio kindly request if recreational grounds are provided for sports such as volleyball, basketball and tennis?

Reply by Hon.

Martin Moreti, MP (Minister of Women, Youth, Sports and Social Affairs) E kukurei au Botaki ni Mwakuri n rinanoa te bubuti aio.
Rairana/Translation My Ministry is ready to consider this request.

By Hon.

Tibanga Taratai, MP (Banaba) OQ160.

E teimatoa n namakinaki te tare ni kaako iaon Banaba ibukin waeremwen ana karekemwane bitineti mai irouia aomata aika a tarau man bitineti.

E kakoauaki bwa ai ti Banaba te abamwakoro ae akea ana kareke tianti n ai aron mwanen te ben ao te riiti.

Iai ana ibuobuoki te Tautaeka nakon ana kanganga Banaba aio taiaoka?
Rairana/Translation Food shortage has been experienced by Banaba due to no cash flow from surrounding businesses and no cash income from people on the island such as copra and land lease.

Is there any way that the Government can assist in this problem?

Reply by Hon.
Reply by Hon.

Bootii Nauan, MP (Minister of Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives) Madam Speaker, I kukurei ni kaongoa te Tia Tei ae e karineaki mai Banaba, bwa iai ana babaire ngkai te Tautaeka ni buoka Banaba ma ana kanganga ae tataren te kaako ao uarereken mwaitin te mwane.

10 Rairana/Translation Madam Speaker, I am pleased to inform the Honourable MP from Banaba, there is Government’s decision to assist Banaba with cargo shortages and low circulation of money on the island.

By Hon.
By Hon.

Ioteba Redfern, MP (Betio) OQ166.

I kan ongora te update iaon au kaoti are I tabekia n te boowi ae e nako are ana anganaki Communities te mwiokoaki ibukin te kaitiaki are a na kaboaki iai?

Rairana/Translation I wish to follow up a motion I raised last meeting regarding the responsibility to be given to respective communities to provide paid cleaning services.

Is there any update on that request?

Reply by Hon.
Reply by Hon.

Ruateki Tekaiara, MP (Minister of Environment, Lands and Agricultural Development) Imwiin rinanon te bubuti aio ao e kakawaki iroun te Tautaeka bwa e na moanibwaia moa kamatoaan te Tua ni kamangeange ao boutokaan kaitiaki n anganano iaon Betio ibukin buakanakin te kamangeange iaon Betio.
Rairana/Translation After assessing this request, Government considers important to first strengthen anti-littering enforcement and voluntary clean-up programs as part of our joint effort with the communities to address waste problems in Betio.

11