Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698054182066.pdf (Kiribati)
QUESTIONS TO GOVERNMENT The following Oral Questions are to be asked and answered in the Maneaba ni Maungatabu on Monday 26 April 2021.

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

By Hon.

Taberannang Timeon, MP (Tabiteuea Meang) OQ61.

A ngureakinna kaaro ake iai aia ataei n reirei aika a rietata i tinaniku, n aron USP bwa iai taai aika aki bwaka aia arauanti n taia ake a tataneiai iai n te aro are a rootaki ibukin boon maeuia ma aia tabo ni maeka.
E kona te Minita are tabena ni kabwarabwara bwa tera ae e riki?

Rairana/Translation The parents of students attending institutions of higher learning overseas, such as USP, are complaining that there are times payments of maintenance allowance were late which is affecting their ability to pay for food and accommodation.

Could the Minister concerned explain what is happening?

Reply by Hon.
Reply by Hon.

Alexander Teabo, MP (Minister of Education) Te Tia Babaire, I karautaeka n iremwen bwakan aia mwane ara ataei are e riki ni moan te ririki n kataumwane ae 2021 ao e na teimatoa au Botaki n Mwakuri n taraia bwa e na aki manga reke te iremwe.

Rairana/Translation Madame Speaker, I regret the delay in the disbursement of students’ allowances happened at the beginning of the financial year 2021 and my Ministry will continue to ensure there is no more repetition of delays in future.

By Hon.
By Hon.

Teima Onorio, MP (Arorae) OQ87.

Teuana ana karikirake te Tautaeka are e a kaman kabwataki mwanena ae $70m n te Maneaba aio n ririki aika a nako bon katamaroan kawai ma marae ni wanikiba ao tabon te uaabu iaon abamwakoron nako Kiribati.

I kan butia te Tautaeka e kona ni kamatata bwa e a bwaka ia ngkai te karikirake aio ao e na roko n ningai iaon au abamwakoro ae Arorae are e kainnanoa naba te karikirake aio?
Rairana/Translation One of the Government’s projects whose funding of $70m has been approved by this Parliament involves the improvement of roads, airports and ports 1 throughout Kiribati.

Could Government provide an update on this project and clarify when Arorae’s needs in this respect would be attended to?

Reply by Hon.

Willie Tokataake, MP (Minister of Infrastructure & Sustainable Energy) Te karikirake ibukin te karao kawai e na waaki moa ma aaba ake kain te moan mwakoro.
Karaoan ana kawai Arorae e bon mena n te kateniua ni mwakoro.

Rairana/Translation The Outer Island Road Upgrading project will commenced with islands under phase 1.

Arorae is under phase 3 of the road upgrading programming.

By Hon.

Tessie Eria Lambourne, MP (Abemama) OQ9.

E kona te Tautaeka ni karaka ana buoka nakoia koraki 7 ake a karaoa aia kooti man te USP ngkai e kakoauaki bwa e rang ni bobuaka ao e rang ni uarereke mwaitin te buoka ae e reke irouia ataei aikai?
Translation/Rairana Can Government increase its subsidy to Form 7 students undertaking USP Foundation programme to allow these students to meet the high cost of such programme which is over and above the current subsidy rate?

Reply by Hon.

Alexander Teabo, MP (Minister of Education) Te Tia Babaire, iai ana babaire te Tautaeka ae e a tia aron maroroakinana ma aobitin aia reirei aaro ibukin karakaan te buoka nakoia ataein koraki itiua (7) n Kauarinan n reirei ake ieta.
Rairana/Translation Madame Speaker, the Government has a decision which has been consulted with mission school’s education office (DEDAK) on the increase of subsidy to form 7 students of senior secondary schools.

By Hon.

Teima Onorio, MP (Arorae) OQ86.

Teuana mai ibuakon ana motinnano te Tautaeka bwa e na katamaroa karakaan boon te rau nakon $3 n te baana.

E kona te Tautaeka ni kaongoraea te Maneaba aei bwa e na kakoroa nanon aio nakon n ningai?
2 Translation/Rairana One of the motinnano by this Government is to increase the cost of thatch to $3 per thatch.

Could Government confirm when this Motinnano would be implemented?

Reply by Hon.

Boutu Bateriki, MP (Minister of Internal Affairs) Te Tiibika, I karabwa te Tia Tei mai Arorae, ao e na wakinaki kakoroan nanon aio n te tai are e angaraoi iai.

Translation / Rairana Madame Speaker, I thank Hon.

MP from Arorae Is, and this will be fulfilled at the most appropriate time.

By Hon.
By Hon.

Tewaaki Kobae, MP (Tabuaeran) OQ79.

Mwanangan LC Aratobwa nakon te Aono n Raina ma Rawaki e a tia n taotaonaki.

I kona ni butia te Minita are tabena ana kamataata iaon bukin rikin taotaonakin te mwananga?

Translation/Rairana The current voyage of LC Aratobwa to the Lines and Phoenix had been constantly delayed.

May I request the Minister concerned to provide clarification regarding the cause of continuous delays?

Reply by Hon.

Tekeeua Tarati.


MP (Minister of Information, Communication, Transport and Tourism Development) Taotaonakin mwanangan LC Aratobwa nakon taina are tia ni moan katauaki e riki man mwakuri ni katamaroa nakon ana ramp.

Rairana/Translation The delay to the initial scheduled voyage of LC Aratobwa was due to a need to rehabilitate the vessel’s ramp.

By Hon.

Koraubati Remuera, MP (Maiana) OQ108.

Te Oo ni karabuti bon teuana ana kanganga te botaki ni bureitiman iaon au abamwakoro ae Maiana.
N na butia te Tautaeka ke te Botaki ni mwakuri are tabena aio, e kona n reke buokan ana kanganga te Botaki ni Bureitiman iaon Maiana n irekereke ma tangiran ana Karabuti?

3 Rairana/Translation Prison cell is one of the problems facing Policeman in Maiana.

I wish to ask the Government or Ministry concerned if it can assist to solve this problem?

Reply by Hon.

Boutu Bateriki, MP (Minister of Internal Affairs) Te Tibiika, e rabwa te Tia Tei ae e rine temanna mai Maiana ibukin ana titiraki.
Au kaeka eng, e tauraoi au Botaki ni Mwakuri n ibuobuoki ngkai bon ana karikirake te Kauntira ae e moan bwaia.

Rairana/Translation Madam Speaker, I thank one of the Hon.

MPs from Maiana for his question.

My reply is yes, my Ministry is ready to assist as this is the Island Council priority project.

By Hon.

Tekiau Aretateta MP (Tabuaeran) OQ85.

A tuai man kabwakaki aia overtime Taan mwakuri ake a tararua MTSS are i Tabuaeran n te ririki ae e nako.

E kona ni buokaki te kainano aei?


Rairana/Translation Caretakers at MTSS in Tabuaeran have not received their overtime payments since last year.

Would there be any assistance to address this?

Reply by Hon.

Alexander Teabo, MP (Minister of Education) Te Tia Babaire, kabwakan mwanen te arauenti nakoia Taan mwakuri ake a tararua MTSS ae mwakuria ngkai au Botaki n Mwakuri.

Rairana/Translation Madame Speaker, the payment of overtime allowance in respect of MTSS caretakers is being processed by my Ministry.
By Hon.

James Taom, MP (Makin) OQ106.

E kona ni kabwarabwara te Minitita are tabena bwa e a bwaka iaa ngkai te kabomwi nakon ana karikirake Makin iaon ana booti are e bwabwaka tabona?

4 Rairana/Translation Can the Minister responsible explain the latest update in regards to the replacement for Makin’s landing craft for islets project?

Reply by Hon.
Reply by Hon.

Boutu Bateriki, MP (Minister of Internal Affairs) Te Tia Babaire, e a bon tia te babaire ibukin karekean onean mwin ana booti Makin are e bwabwaka tabona ao e na kakaeaki mwanena.

Rairana/Translation Madam Speaker, the decision for the replacement for Makin landing craft had been made and the source of funding will be considered.

By Hon.

Pinto Katia, MP (Makin) OQ113.


E kona te Minita are tabena n kabwarabwara bukin te kamotirawa are e karaoia Air Kiribati nakoia ana Taani mwakuri ake a matoa?

Rairana/Translation Can the Minister responsible explain why the appointments of permanent employees of Air Kiribati Ltd were terminated?

Reply by Hon.

Tekeeua Tarati.


MP (Minister of Information, Communication, Transport, and Tourism Development) Te kamotirawa are e karaoia Air Kiribati e kaineti ma te boboou ae boou are kaotinako te kaeta ni ware nakon mwaitia Taan Mwakuri n Air Kiribati Limited.

Rairana/Translation The termination undertaken by Air Kiribati is in line with the reset programme which results in the downsizing/rightsizing of Air Kiribati Limited.

By Hon.

Teima Onorio, MP (Arorae) OQ116.


N rabanen te ririki ae e nako ao I karokoa n ana aobiti te Beretitenti ibukia kain te kawa ae Tamaroa mwaitin bwaai ma katauboaia n titoa ake a kona n reke iai, bwain te Umwantabu i Tamaroa are e a tia ni bwaati mwanenakin katamaroana n te mwaiti ae $50,000 n 2020 man ana buoka te Tautaeka ma a tuangai taani mwakuri n ana aobiti te Beretitenti bwa ti na taninga te ririki aio.
I kan titirakina te Beretitenti ae e karineaki bwa e a bwaka 5 iaa buokan ara Umwantabu i Tamaroa ao e na kona ni waaki nakon n ningai te mwakuri ni katamaroa are e kainanoaki nako iai?
Rairana/Translation Towards the end of last year, I submitted to the Office te Beretitenti a list of materials and cost estimated from various suppliers for the maintenance of Tamaroa church building whose funding of $50,000 under the Disaster Funds had been approved in 2020, but I was advised that such funds would be released in 2021.

I wish to ask this Excellency te Beretitenti what the update is on such funding assistance and when can work on the needed maintenance of Tamaroa Church building begin?
Reply by His Excellency Taneti Maamau, MP (Te Beretitenti) I kukurei ni kaotia bwa e na mwakuriiaki aia umwantabu kaain Tamaroa inanon te ririki aio.

E na kaukaki te Tender ibukin karekean bwain ana Umwantabu Tamaroa ao bon projects riki tabeua inanon te namakaina ae e na roko.

Rairana/Translation I am happy to say that the maintenance for Tamaroa Church will commence this year.

Tender for purchase of materials for Tamaroa Church and other projects will be opened next month.

By Hon.
By Hon.

Tinian Reiher, MP (Butaritari) OQ134.

E kona te Minita ae e karineaki n te MELAD n reitaki ma ana Embassy Tiaina iaon te kakae iroun ana tiim China Technical Mission bwa e na kawara Butaritari n nora angaraoin manga unikakin te kai ae te bamboo (kaibwabwa) i Butaritari n tabo ake a rinano man aoneinei ao n kakoauaki bwa aki kabonganaki ibukin unikan kai n amwarake?
Rairana/Translation Could the Honourable Minister for MELAD kindly liaise with the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China for a scoping team from the China Technical Mission to visit Butaritari for the possible replanting of bamboo trees at idled low lying and water locked areas?

Repy by Hon.

Ruateki Tekaiara, MP (Minister of Environment, Lands and Agricultural Development) E kukurei au Tabo ni Mwakuri n rinanoa te bubuti aio.

6 Rairana/Translation My Ministry is pleased to consider the request.
By Hon.

James Taom, MP (Makin) OQ107.

E rikirake ni korakora te tarika nakon mwanibwa n aonon Makin are mai Maiaki ao man karika te kanganga nakoia Taan maeka.

E kona te Tautaeka n ibuobuoki nakon te kanganga aei?

Rairana/Translation The ground water is getting brackish in the southern part of Makin, making it unhealthy for consumption and very difficult for households in that part of the island to get clean and healthy water.

Can Government assist with this dire need, please?

Reply by Hon.
Reply by Hon.

Willie Tokataake, MP (Minister of Infrastructure & Sustainable Energy) E kona te Tautaeka ni ibuobuoki nakon te kanganga ae tabekaki rinanon ana titiraki te Tia tei ae karineaki aio.

Rairana/Translation My office is willing to assist with the issue raised through this question by the Honorable Member of Parliament.

By Hon.

Tewaaki Kobae, MP (Tabuaeran) OQ120.


A riritang Taan Reirei n taian Secondary Mission Schools bwa booia are e a angania te Tautaeka e uarereke riki nakon booia contract ke ni Monita n Junior Secondary Schools.

E kona te Tautaeka ni mwanea ao n tobwa te riritang aio?

Rairana/Translation Secondary Mission Schools teachers who are paid by Government complained that they are given less pay compared to those contract teachers attached to Junior Secondary Schools.
Could Government accommodate and address this issue?

7 Reply by Hon.

Alexander Teabo, MP (Minister of Education) Te Tia Babaire, N na karautaeka bwa e aki bubura riki booia Taan reirei n Kauarinan n reirei ake inano nakoia Taan reirei n Kauarinan n reirei ake ieta.

Rairana/Translation Madame Speaker, I regret to advise that the salary of JSS teachers is not higher than the salary of JSS Teacher.

By Hon.

Tauanei Marea, MP (Nikunau) OQ141.


I kan bubuti te kamatata ibukin te ongora bwa e a bwaka iaa taekan aia mwane ni motirawa ara bureitiman n abamwakoro ke special constables?

Rairana/Translation I wish to request for clarification on the status of payment of leave grants in respect of our police special constables?
Reply by His Excellency Taneti Maamau, MP (Te Beretitenti) I kukurei ni kaongoa te Tia Tei temanna mai Nikunau bwa kakoroan aia leave grants taian special constables e na reke imwin rinanoakin te boraraoi ni kamwakuri ae boou.

Rairana/Translation I am pleased to inform one of the Honorable MPs from Nikunau that the remaining balance of leave grants will be paid once the new terms and conditions of employment for special constables is in place.

By Hon.

Moannata Ientaake, MP (Marakei) OQ128.


Iai au titiraki are I tabekia n te Maneaba aei are e bonginaki n 26th November 2020 are I butia iai te Tautaeka bwa e na katei taian tower ke dish ibukin kanakoraoan te signal ibukin te reitaki iaon te tarebon ao te internet ni kawan Marakei aika Tekarakan, Bainuna ao Norauea.

I kan butia te Tautaeka bwa e a bwaka iaa te bubuti aei?
Rairana/Translation I had raised a question in this Maneaba on 26th November 2020 to request Government to build towers or dishes to improve communication and internet 8 Marakei villages of Tekarakan, Bainuna and Norauea.

Can I ask the Government to provide the status on this request?

Reply by Hon.

Tekeeua Tarati.

MP (Minister of Information, Communication, Transport and Tourism Development) Iai ana mwakuri ni katamaroa Vodafone nakon ana mobile coverage Marakei ae e na waaki inanon te ririki aio.
Rairana/Tranlsation There are plans set by Vodafone to upgrade mobile coverage for Marakei this year.

By Hon.

Pinto Katia, MP (Makin) OQ114.

Tera ngkai te babaire ibukia Taani Mwakuri n ana tabo ngkoa Taiwan n Ununiki ao te nei ni kabwebwe baneawa?

Rairana/Translation What is the arrangement for employees of the former Taiwan Technical Mission for agriculture and aquaculture?

Reply by Hon.
Reply by Hon.

Ruateki Tekaiara, MP (Minister of Environment, Lands & Agricultural Development) E na bon teimatoa n reitinako aia contract Taan mwakuri n Tobwaakira Farms n aron teina are ngkai.

Rairana/Translation The contract for workers on Tobwaakira Farms will continue as it is.

By Hon.

Teima Onorio, MP (Arorae) OQ137.


E kona ni kamataata te Tautaeka bwa bukin tera ngkai e aki reke nakoia Special Constables i Arorae te mwane ni motirawa ae $3,000 are e reke nakoia ana Taan Mwakuri te Tautaeka ma Kauntira n aron are e a tia ni motinnanoia?

9 Rairana/Translation Could Government explain why special constables on Arorae are not eligible to receive Leave Grant of $3,000 promised to civil servants as well as Council staff in its Motinnano?
Reply by His Excellency Taneti Maamau, MP (Te Beretitenti) Te Tia Babaire e na reke nakoia Special Constables ni kabane iaon abamwakoron Kiribati te mwane ni motirawa ae $3,000 are e taekinna te Tautaeka aio n ana Motinnano.

Rairana/Translation Hon Speaker, the leave grant of $3000 will be paid to all special constables on outer islands as indicated by this Government in its Manifesto.

By Hon.

Tewaaki Kobae, MP (Tabuaeran) OQ119.


A teimatoa kaain Tabuaeran ni kantaninga waakinan te kamaeka ni kamwaawa are e a tia te Tautaeka ni kariaia bwa e na wakinaki imwiin tian Kiritimati.

E na boni karaoa nanon bukin te kantaninga aio te Tautaeka?

Rairana/Translation Tabuaeran people are still waiting for Government’s decision for extension of land sublease (settlement) which has been agreed to commence as soon as Kiritimati has completed the process.

Will Government pursue this goal?


Reply by Hon.

Ruateki Tekaiara, MP (Minister of Environment, Lands and Agricultural Development) Ana waaki te Tautaeka ni mwakuria ao ni baronga aron te kamaeka iaon Tabuaeran e bon iremwe teutana ni irekereke ma te COVID – 19 are e roota aron te mwamwananga nako Tabuaeran.
Rairana/Translation Government’s plans for resettelement in Tabuaeran has been delayed due to COVID – 19 that has affected travel plans to Tabuaeran to carry out works related to the resettlements scheme.

10 By Hon.

Tauanei Marea, MP (Nikunau) OQ140.

N na bubutia te Minita n te Botaki ibukin te Mauri ao Katoki Aoraki bwa e na roko ningai te neeti are e na katoamaua te mwakuri ni kuakua n au abamwakoro ae Nikunau?
Rairana/Translation I would humbly ask the Minister of Health and Medical Services, when will a nurse be arrived for health work assistance in my island, Nikunau?

Reply by Hon.

Dr. Tinte Itinteang, MP (Minister of Health and Medical Services) E rabwa te Tia Tei temanna mai Nikunau n ana titiraki ae e rang kakawaki ao aio kaekana.

E kukurei au Tabo ni Mwakuri n taekinna bwa ana neeti Nikunau are e na mwakuri ma te MA i Manrunga Health Centre e a tauraoi ni mwaing n te moan kaibuke nako Nikunau.
Rairana/Translation I thank one of the MPs from Nikunau for raising this important question.

My Ministry is happy to convey that the nurse who will work alongside the MA at Manrunga Health Centre is ready to travel on the next available boat to Nikunau.

By Hon.

Tebao Awerika, MP (Betio) OQ149.

Ti kakaaitau bwa e a ira nanon te Tua aron karekean te raitienti ni buti inanon te kawai raon te raitienti ibukin kaa ma rebwerebwe iaon Tarawa.
Te bubuti e kona ni kabobeteaki riki te tiaati ibukin karekean taian raitienti aikai, taiaoka?

Rairana/Translation We are grateful for the setting of drivers’ license and vehicles registration that are aligned with the law.

Can Government reduce the charges required in order to get these licenses, please?

11 Reply by Hon.
11 Reply by Hon.

Tekeeua Tarati, MP (Minister of Information, Communication, Transport and Tourism Development) Au Botaki ni Mwakuri rinanon te KLTA e kakaitau ngkai e kona n noraki riain karaoan te babaire ibukin te licenses aika ana ibuobuoki nakon ana mwakuri ni katamaroa KLTA nakon kabonganakin kawain te botanaomata bwa e na mano ao man teimatoa raoiroina.

Ibukin aio ao tein te tiaati ae bwainaki ngkai e na bon iai moa angabuakan bitakina.
Rairana/Translation My Ministry through KLTA is grateful that its efforts towards the betterment of the public highway sustainability and safe use to the public through the decision for setting the license fees.

With these being said, the changes to the licenses fees would not be ideal.

12