THE cost’s to ordinary taxpayers in maintaining the Solomon Islands High Commission office in London by the Sogavare led Grand Coalition for Change government (DCCG) is proving burdensome and financially very costly.

Solomon Islands have established its Mission in London, United Kingdom. The London Mission which opened its doors for diplomatic and consular services on Monday 3rd April 2017 is the third Solomon Islands diplomatic Mission in Europe which includes Brussels in Belgium and Geneva in Switzerland.

A report obtained by Island Sun, shows The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade (MFAET) have tried to maintain its foreign presence in London by requesting cabinet approval for additional funds through the use of Contingency Warrants (CW) totalling 2 Million dollars in an attempt to continue maintaining presence at the London embassy for this financial year.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade then appointed Mr Trevor Unusu, the Assistant Secretary for Europe Desk at the Ministry, as the Chargé d’ Affaires for the London Mission, until such time that the Government appointed a new High Commissioner to head the Mission.

However reports reaching Island Sun have indicated that Mr Unusu has since returned from London as there is no money to maintain the Office.

The Solomon Islands Government claims that The London Mission will harness the potential for Solomon Islands to further explore some of the opportunities for economic development available in the United Kingdom and across Europe.

The initial work in establishing the London Mission had commenced in late 2016.