Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698054236087.pdf (Kiribati)
QUESTIONS TO GOVERNMENT The following Oral Questions are to be asked and answered in the Maneaba ni Maungatabu on Friday 20th August 2021.

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

By Hon.

Tinian Reiher, MP (Butaritari) OQ55.

Antai ae e bwaibwai n taian uaabu iaon abamwakoro n aron te King’s wharf i Butaritari?

Rairana/Translation Who owns or is responsible for wharfs/jetties in outer islands like the King’s wharf in Butaritari?

Reply by Hon.
Reply by Hon.

Tekeeua Tarati, MP (Minister of Information, Communication, Transport and Tourism Development) Uabu iaon abamwakoro ake e katei te Tautaeka e bwaibwai iai te Tautaeka ma n te tai aio ao mwiokon, tararuakin ao kateimatoan uaabu aikai e tiku inanon bain te Kauntira.

Rairana/Translation Wharfs/jetties that are built in the outer islands by Government are owned by Government, however, the Island Councils are responsible to look after the sustainability of these wharfs/jetties.

By Hon.
By Hon.

Tauanei Marea, MP (Nikunau) OQ84.

N na bubuti ngkana e kona ni waekoa n tuoaki ana maneaba ma ana bono KUC Tabomatang ao ni karekeaki buokan karaoaia man te buoka are te disaster fund?

Rairana/Translation I would request if KUC Tabomatang’s maneaba and seawall could be inspected as soon as possible and to provide funding assistance from disaster fund towards rehabilitation?
1 Reply by His Excellency Taneti Maamau, MP (Te Beretitenti) I kukurei n kaongoa te Tia Tei ae e karineaki mai Nikunau bwa ana bono KUC Tabomatang e a bon tia n tuoaki ao ae e a barongaaki ngkai aron moan mwakuriana.

Ibukin te maneaba ao e tauraoi au Aobiti n rinanoa te bubuti naba aio n kaineti ma tuan ao ana kainibaire te Disaster Fund Project.
Rairana/Translation I am pleased to inform the MP from Nikunau that KUC Tabomatang seawall has already been assessed and arrangements are now underway for the initial implementation stage.

As for the maneaba, my Office is ready to review the request in line with Disaster Fund procedures and guidelines.

By Hon.

Betero Atanibora, MP (Abaiang) OQ15.


I kan rimwin au titiraki n te Maneaba aei are I tabekia n te ririki ae e nako iaon karekean riki ana JSS Abaiang n te Itera Maiaki ibukia kaawa aika Evena nako Tabontebike?

Rairana/ Translation I wish to follow up my question raised last year in this Maneaba on the establishment of another JSS in Abaiang for southern the villages of Evena to Tabontebike?

Reply by Hon.
Reply by Hon.

Alexander Teabo, MP (Minister of Education) I kukurei n kaongoa te Tia Tei temanna ae e karineaki mai Abaiang n reitaki ma te Maneaba aei bwa au Botaki ni Mwakuri ae e mwakuri ngkai beban te bubuti ibukin te karikirake (project document) ibukin katean riki JSS n aba ake a abwabwaki ao ae e nang uotakirake ngkai nakon te MISE ibukin tamnein kateitei (design) ao kataumwaneaia (costing).

Abaiang bon ngaia teuana te abamwakoro are e rin n te karikerake aio.
Rairana/Translation I am pleased to inform the Honorable MP from Abaiang and this Maneaba that the project document for the construction of another JSS on the big islands is being reviewed by my Ministry and will then submit it to MISE for the design and costing.

Abaiang is one of the big islands that is included in this plan.

2 By Hon.

Taberannang Timeon, MP (Tabiteuea Meang) OQ86.


E kona te Minita are tabena ni kabwarabwara bwa e aera ngkai ae bon reitinako naba kabwabwakaan aia mwane te koraki ake aki mwakuri ni kaitaraa are nanonaki n arana?

Rairana/Translation Could the Minister responsible explain why backpayments for the non- employed is still ongoing contrary to its name?

Reply by Hon.
Reply by Hon.

Martin Moreti, MP (Minister of Women, Youth, Sport and Social Affairs) I kukurei n taekinna bwa te bwakamwane aio e bon ti katauaki nakoia ake aki mwakuri.

Rairana/ Translation I am happy to say that this fund only targets unemployed beneficiaries.

By Hon.

Bakaia Kiabo, MP (Kiritimati & Kanton) OQ67.

Teuana kanoan ana motinnano te Tautaeka are a nang aki roo ataei man te koraki 4 nakon 7.
E kona te Minita are tabena aio n kabwarabwara bwa bukin tera ngkai a teimatoa n roo ke n aki reke te buoka nakoia tabeman ataei ake man te koraki 5 ao 7?

Rairana/Translation One of the promises of the Government is that students from Form 4 to 7 will not be paying school fees.

Could the Minister responsible explain why some students in Form 5 to 7 continue to pay?

Reply by Hon.
Reply by Hon.

Alexander Teabo, MP (Minister of Education) I kukurei n kaongoa te Tia Tei temanna ae e karineaki mai Kiritimati n reitaki ma te Maneaba aei bwa tabeman ataei ake aki rin iaan te aki roo, e bon kaineti ma bukina ae a riai iaan te kainibaire ibukin te aki roo.

Rairana/Translation I am pleased to inform the Honourable MP from Kiritimati and this Maneaba that there are students whose fees are not subsidized for reasons that are proper as in line with Free Education Policy, FEP.

3 By Hon.
3 By Hon.

Betero Atanibora, MP (Abaiang) OQ65.

I kan tabeka bwanaau ni kaitau nakon te Tautaeka n aron kakoroan nanon ana motinano ibukia ara kara.

I kan bubuti ibukin abau ae Abaiang e kona te Minita n te Mwane n noora riain karekean aia account ara kara ngkai e rangi raroa Taburao irouia.

Tiaki ti aia account ma ngkana e kona te ANZ bank ni buokia iai ibukin te kauki account ao karekean aia ATM naba?
Rairana/Translaion I wish to voice my sincere gratitude to Government for implementing its campaign promises in regards to the elderly fund.

Can I ask the Minister of Finance to consider the need for creation of bank account for our elderly citizens since Taburao is very far for them?

Not only that but can ANZ bank assist with this and provide ATM there too?

Reply by Hon.
Reply by Hon.

Dr. Teuea Toatu, MP (Kauoman ni Beretitenti and Minister of Finance and Economic Development) I kukurei ni kaongoa raou n Tia Tei mai Abaiang ae e karineaki bwa iai ngkai te mwakuri ae e a tia n wakinaki iroun te ANZ iaon kaukan aia bangke akaunti kaain abamwakoro.

Rairana/Translaion I am pleased to inform my colleague, the Honorable MP from Abaiang that ANZ Bank has already commenced work on the opening of accounts for people living in the outer islands By Hon.
Bakaia Kiabo, MP (Kiritimati & Kanton) OQ68.

E kona te Minita ae e karineaki man te botaki ibukin te Mauri ao Katoki Aoraki n noora kainnanoan katamaroaan bwaunaia aoraki ngkai e korakora te tangitang iaon te itera aio?

Rairana/Translation Could the Honourable Minister for Health and Medical Services see the need to improve the standard of food rations given to patients since there are numerous complaints about it?

4 Reply by Hon.
4 Reply by Hon.

Dr. Tinte Itinteang, MP (Minister of Health and Medical Services) I kukurei n taekinna nakon te Maneaba aio bwa e a tia n waaki ana katamaroa au Botaki ni Mwakuri nakon bwaunaia aoraki ae e na raoiroi ibukin marurungiia.

Rairana/Translation I am pleased to inform this Maneaba that my Ministry is improving ration for patients by providing a nutritious menu.

By Hon.

Tauanei Marea, MP (Nikunau) OQ85.


E kona te Tautaeka ni iangoa karaoakin aia roki Taan reirei ao ataein te reirei ae Tekabangaki JSS, i Rungata, Nikunau ae e tamaroa ao e ‘septic tank’ ngkai tein te roki ae e kabonganaki ngkai e rangi ni kai onrake ao e kamwebuaka, riki ngkana e roko tain te kakarau?
Rairana/Translation Could Government consider constructing permanent toilet blocks with safe septic tank for both teachers and students of Tekabangaki JSS, at Rungata, Nikunau since the current type fills up very fast and causes discomfort to users especially during rainy days?

Reply by Hon.
Reply by Hon.

Alexander Teabo, MP (Minister of Education) I kukurei n kaongoa te Tia Tei temanna ae e karineaki mai Nikunau n reitaki ma te Maneaba aei bwa katean rooki ibukin JSS iaon Kiribati e na waaki iaan te karikirake ae te WASH in Schools ae e a tia ni waakinaki ao iaon kawaina n roko naba i Nikunau.

I kukurei n taekinna bwa te WASH program aio, e na karekei rooki ma aia septic tank, bwai n tebobai ao karokoan te ran ibukin te moi ao te kaitiaki.
Rairana/Translation I am pleased to inform the Honourable MP from Nikunau and this Maneaba that the construction of the toilets and water systems for JSS in Kiribati is part of the WASH project for schools, which has commenced and will also be implemented in Nikunau island.

The WASH program covers provision of the toilets with septic tanks, hand wash facilities and the water system for drinking and cleaning.

5 By Hon.

Ioteba Redfern, MP (Betio) OQ73.


N na butiia te Minita ae e karineaki man te Onaoraki bwa e kona n noora riain karekean aia kaboraoi kaain te tabo ni kuuka n te Onaoraki?

Rairana/Translation I would like to ask the Minister for Health to see the necessity of purchasing the required standard uniforms for his kitchen staff?

Reply by Hon.
Reply by Hon.

Dr. Tinte Itinteang, MP (Minister of Health and Medical Services) Te Tibiika, e tauraoi au Botaki ni Mwakuri ni butimwaea ana tabeka te Tia Tei ae e karineaki aio.

Rairana/Translation Madam Speaker, my Office is willing to consider the Honorable Member of Parliament’s proposal.

By Hon.

Taberannang Timeon, MP (Tabiteuea Meang) OQ89.

I mwin tuangakiia Taan Reirei n te Pre-school iaon Tab North ake a “pass” ao a kaongoaki bwa a riai ni kaboaki man te Tautaeka.
E ngae n anne ao ae a tiku naba ngkai Taan Reirei aikai n tataninga booia.

E kona te Tautaeka n taekinna bwa tera bukin te mwaarara?

Rairana/Translation After passing the qualifying test those Pre-School teachers on Tab North were informed that they would now be receiving Government salaries.

Be that as it may, these same teachers are still waiting for their salaries.

Could the Government explain what causes the delay?

Reply by Hon.
Reply by Hon.

Alexander Teabo, MP (Minister of Education) N kaekan ana titiraki Tia Tei temanna ae e karineaki mai Tabiteuea Meang ao I kan kamataata ikai bwa te mwaarara bon man te meemeere mai irouia taan reirei ake a pass n karokoi bwaai aika a kainnanoaki n irekereke ma te kainibaire.
Man te mwaiti ae 36 ao ai bon ti 4 ngkai taan reirei ae a tuai reke booia bwa teniman a aki karokoi aia KPF number ao temanna e teimatoa n tuai ni karokoi ana beba ni bung ana ataei ibukin kakoauana bwa a roko n te mwaiti ana ataei n kaineti ma te kainibaire.
Te boo ibukia 32 taan reirei, e a wene inanon bain te Kauntira i Tab North iaon te DW numbers aikai: 6 DW Number 378 397 419 447 Rairana/Translation Date 5th July 21st July 30th July 3rd August In response to the question raised by the Honorable MP from Tab North, I would state here that the delay is mainly due to the teachers non-compliance with the pre-schools registration regulation.
According to our record, from the total of 36 teachers there are 4 teachers who have not received their pay: three for being unable to submit their KPF number and one for failure to submit the birth certificates of the students to prove the exact number of students and compliance with the pre-schools pupil to teacher (PTR) requirements.
The rest of the 32 teachers pay have been sent to the Island Council which is proved by these DW numbers: DW Number 378 397 419 447 Date 5th July 21st July 30th July 3rd August By Hon.

Terieta Mwemwenikeaki, MP (North Tarawa) OQ92.

N te tai are e oneaki te Otintaai Hotel nakon teuana te tabo n kamanomano ibukin ana waaki te Tautaeka ibukin totokoan te Covid 19, ao bon iai Taan Mwakuri ake a tia n bua aron aia karekemwane man buan aia mwakuri.
Iai ana kona te Tautaeka n ibuobuoki ni karekean te mwane ni ibuobuoki ae e bon tau nakoia koraki aikai?

Rairana/Translation When the Otintaai Hotel was converted into one of the Covid-19 Quarantine centers as part of the Government’s program to contain the spread of this pandemic, there were employees who had lost their job and income.

Could this Government assist in providing reasonable financial assistance to these people?

Reply by Hon.
Reply by Hon.

Dr. Teuea Toatu, MP (Vice President and Minister of Finance and Economic Development) E tauraoi au Botaki ni Mwakuri n rinanon te bubuti aio.

7 Rairana/Translation My Ministry is ready to review this request.

By Hon.

Taberannang Timeon, MP (Tabiteuea Meang) OQ90.


Ai bon ti tereketakori ao e a roko ni kawain te botanaomata te kanaki are e reke man Bibitakin kanoan boong n taabo tabeua i Tab North n te aro are e na bon riai ni kamwaingaki te kawai nako nanoaa riki ngkana e a wakinaki te karao kawai.

Are nanona bwa auti ni maeka, kain amwarake, karuarua etc ana uruaki.

Antai ae e na kabomui nakoia taan ababa ibukin taian uruaki aika a na riki?
Rairana/Translation Coastal Erosion resulting from Climate Change is fast encroaching onto the main road in a number of locations on Tab North making it inevitable for the main road to be moved further inland.

This means that when the road upgrading program begins on the island dwellings, fruit trees, pits etc.

will be destroyed.

Who will compensate the landowners for the damage caused?

Reply by Hon.
Reply by Hon.

Willie Tokataake, MP (Minister of Infrastructure and Sustainable Energy) Tia Babaire, iaan ara boraraoi ibukin te karikirake ae te karao kawai ao akea te kabomwi ae e na karaoaki nakon uruakakin kain amwarake.

Rairana/Translation Madam Speaker, under the signed agreement of Outer Island Road Upgrading Project, there will be no compensation made for fruit trees damaged under this project development.

By Hon.

Vincent Tong, MP (Maiana) OQ109.


Inanon tain boowin te Maneaba ae e nako ao e kamatoa te Minita are tabena ni kaineti ma au bubuti ibukin katamaroaakin te intanete ao tareboon ao kakeaan te blackspot iaon Maiana ao e kaongoai te Minita bwa e na waekoa n katiaaki.

E kona te Minita ni kaongoira bwa e a roko n te mwaneka raa te bubuti anne?
8 Rairana/Translation In the last Parliament meeting and in response to my request for improvement of internet and telephone services and the elimination of blackspot issues on Maiana, the good Minister assured me that such issues would be promptly addressed.

Could the good Minister inform this Maneaba the status of progress of our request?

Reply by Hon.
Reply by Hon.

Tekeeua Tarati, MP (Minister of Information, Communication, Transport, and Tourism Development) E wakina ngkai ana kabanea ni kakatai ma n tutuo te Vodafone nakon ana antenna aika boou.

N taubobongan aio ao e na kona ni waaki kanimwakin antenna aikai i Maiana n te ririki aio.

Rairana/Translation Vodafone is currently undertaking trials and final testing to its new antenna which should help the situation.
Upon the completion of this trial, installation of these antennas on Maiana will start this year.

By Hon.

Tessie Eria Lambourne, MP (Abemama) OQ103.

Ni boowi aika a nako, inanon Ritembwa 2020 ao Eberi 2021 ao I tabeki aia bubuti kaain te Ekaretia Katorika iaon Abemama ao ana reirei te KUC ae Alfred Sadd Memorial College ibukin aia bono ke kamanoan aia tabo man kanakin mataniwin te aba.
I kan karokoa riki bwanaia kaain te Ekaretia ni Katorika ao kaain te KUC nakon te Tautaeka bwa e a bwaka ia ngkai aia bubuti ao e na kona n reke n ningai buokaia?

Rairana/Translation In previous meetings, in December 2020 and again April 2021, I raised requests from the Catholic Parish in Abemama and KUC’s Alfred Sadd Memorial College in relation to the Construction of seawall or coastal protection to address serious coastal erosion experienced.
I would like to convey their requests to Government for the status of their requests and when Government would be able to provide urgent assistance to address this problem?

Reply by His Excellency Taneti Maamau, MP (Te Beretitenti) I kukurei n kaongoa te Tia Tei ae e rine mai Abemama bwa au Aobiti ngkai e a mwakuri ma te MISE ibukin barongaan ao katauraoan bwaai aika kainanoaki ibukin karaoan taabo aikai.
9 Rairana/Translation I am pleased to inform MP from Abemama that my Office is working closely now with MISE on logistical arrangements for addressing these requests.

By Hon.

Harry Tekaiti, MP (North Tarawa) OQ94.

N na butia te Minita ae e rine n te MISE rinanon ana kambwana ae Koil bwa tera bukin kerikakin te freights ma te handling tiati n aron are e reke ma imwaina.
Au titiraki bwa tera raoi ana kantaninga te Tautaeka e na karaka ke e na kakerikakia ao ngkana e na raka e kona ni kaboa mwiin are e a tia ni bua man aia karekemwane waauowa ma kaibuke ake anaa te bwaa man Koil i Tarawa?

Rairana/Translation I would like to ask the Hon.Minister for MISE through its KOIL company to explain the reasons for reducing freight and stevedoring rates compared to previous rates.
I want to know Government’s intention whether it will increase or reduce the rates and if it is going to increase would Government be able to compensate boats’ expenses incurred for transporting KOIL fuel?

Reply by Hon.

Willie Tokataake, MP (Minister of Infrastructure and Sustainable Energy) E bon aki kerikaki te handling rate bwa e keerake nakon te ware ae $20/ton ao I kukurei n taekinna ae e tauraoi KOIL n rinanoa kabwakaan te kabomwi ke te refund ngkana e riai.
Rairana/Translation The handling rate never decreased but was actually increased to $20/ton and I am pleased to advise that KOIL is prepared to pay any refund if needed.

By Hon.

Terieta Mwemwenikeaki, MP (North Tarawa) QO97.


E kona te Tautaeka n noora riain karekean temanna te Neeti temanna iaon Abaokoro ni kaitara ma aron tangiran te mwakuri ni kuakua nakoia Taan Mwakuri, ataein te JSS ao ai bon kain te kaawa aei, bwa e aonga ni kona ni mwaawa riki taben te MA are e mena i Abaokoro n kakawarii riki kawan Tarawateinaieta ni kabane?
10 Rairana/Translation Can this Government consider the need to have one Nurse based on Abaokoro to serve the need of employees, JSS Students and members of this village so that the MA who is currently based and serving this village can have more time to visit and serve the rest of Tarawateinaieta villages?

Reply by Hon.
Reply by Hon.

Dr. Tinte Itinteang, MP (Minister of Health and Medical Services) Te Tibiika, karekean te neeti are tabekia te Tia Tei ae karineaki bon kanoan ana kainibaire au Botaki ni Mwakuri ibukin Tarawaieta.

Rairana/Translation Madam Speaker, the request raised by the Honorable Member of Parliament is included in my Ministry’s plan for North Tarawa.

By Hon.

Tibanga Taratai, MP (Banaba) OQ100.

N na rimoa ni kaitaua te Tautaeka aio ibukin karokoan ana mitiin n ran Banaba inanon moan te ririki aio.
Inanon te namwakaina ae e nako ao e ribotinaki mai iroun te water technician bwa e a uruaki ana mitiin ran Banaba.

Inanon te wiiki ae e nako ao e a bwaunanaki te ran nakoia kaain Banaba.

Iai ana ibuobuoki te Tautaeka ibukin ana kanganga Banaba aei?

Rairana/Translation I wish to thank Government for installing Banaba’s desalination plant earlier this year.
Last month the water technician reported to MISE that the new desalination plant machine had malfunctioned resulted in limited water distribution on the island.

- Is there any Government assistance to address this?

Reply by Hon.

Willie Tokataake,MP (Minister of Infrastructure and Sustainable Energy) Tibiika, eang, iai ana babaire te Tautaeka ni buoka te kanganga aio.

Rairana/Translation Speaker, yes there is a Government plan to address the issue.

11 By Hon.

Vincent Tong, MP (Maiana) OQ108.


E kona te Tautaeka ni biriakina katoamauaakin te rabwata ni Kabowi iaon Maiana ngkai aki koro mwaitia Taan Moti n te tai aio n ikotaki naba ma kamoantaian kaokan/karekean te Court Clerk ngkai e a maan n tiku rabwatana iaon Tarawa?
Rairana/Translation Could Government expedite the provision of additional Magistrates for the Magistracy on Maiana as the number of Magistrates is insufficient as well as obtaining/recruiting at the Court Clerk as she has been on Tarawa for quite a while?

Reply by Hon.
Reply by Hon.

Tarakabu Tofinga, MP (Minister for Justice) I kukurei n taekinna bwa ngkai e a tekateka raoi te Chief Justice are e katueaaki n 9th August 2021, ao e nang tibwa kona ngkai n karekeaki riki taan moti, iaan te tua are te Magistrates Court Ordinance Ibukin te court clerk ao iaon kawaina n okira Maiana ngkai e a bon tia n toki semester 1.
Rairana/Translation I am glad to say that now the new Chief Justice, who was sworn in on the 9th August 2021, has taken up office, additional court magistrates can be recruited now according to the Magistrates Court Ordinance, In regards to the court clerk, she will be going back to Maiana soon given that semester 1 has finished.

By Hon.

Banuera Berina, MP (Kuria) OQ118.

N na butia te Minita are tabena bwa n ningai ae na roko iai te reitaki n te tarebon iaon Kuria, taiaoka?
Rairana/Translation I am going to ask the Minister responsible as to when the telephone service will be extended to Kuria, please?

Reply by Hon.

Tekeeua Tarati, MP (Minister of Information, Communication, Transport, and Tourism Development) Iai te kaantaninga bwa e na roko te tareboon iaon Kuria n te ririki aio, 2021.

12 Rairana/Translation It is anticipated that the telephone service will be extended to Kuria this year, 2021.

By Hon.

Batoromaio Kiritian, MP (Beru) OQ128.


N te namwakaina ae e nako ao iai te katanoata n te rerio nakoia contractors n kateitei ibukin aia tender ni kataubo ni katean auti n takataka iaon aba.

E kona te Minita are tabena ni katerea nakon te Maneaba aio ao Kiribati ae e bwanin bwa e na waaki n ningai te karikirake aio?
Rairana/Translation An advertisement was made over the radio about a month ago to invite interested contractors to submit their bids on the construction of new copra sheds on outer islands.

Could the Minister responsible advise this Maneaba when would the project start?

Reply by Hon.

Bootii Nauan, MP (Minister of Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives) E na waaki te karikirake ae katean auti n takataka iaon Abamakoro inanon te ririki aio.
Rairana/Translation The project of constructing copra sheds on the outer islands will start this year.

13