2 weeks Ago By Moffat Mamu
RUMBLINGS within government ranks are reportedly gaining momentum, threatening Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele’s five-month-old coalition Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT), it was revealed this week. Insiders told Solomon Star, the growing rumblings are linked to the outcome of talks in Brisbane regarding the government’s $140 million buy-back offer for prime land jointly owned by Solomon Levers Ltd (LSL) and Russell Islands Plantation Estate Ltd (RIPEL). “Unless the matter is dealt with quickly, the breakup of the GNUT coalition is almost a certainty,” some warned.
Dissatisfaction seems to be widespread among newly elected politicians who joined the GNUT Coalition. So much so that one new MP, a Minister occupying a senior portfolio, told confidante that he and others “want to change the government”. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification, Bradley Tovosia, led the government delegation to the Brisbane talks which took place in Brisbane on Friday 6 September 2024.
The delegation consisted of nine government ministers and backbench members and senior government officials, including the Attorney General, the Commissioner of Lands and the Special Secretary to the Prime Minister. Reports suggest that instead of receiving support, Minister Tovosia actually incurred the anger of Ministers and MPs and for good reason. The Minister allegedly stopped them from attending the talks, something they were looking forward to in order to get a glimpse of the unfolding spectacle of the $140 million buy-back scheme.
It is understood the LSL-RIPEL team eventually debriefed the MPs. “If, by taking the delegation to Brisbane Tovosia was hoping to earn the support of the politicians, the opposite has happened. He has literally lost their support,” sources told Solomon Star this week.
What made the politicians even angrier was that Minister Tovosia allegedly flew back to Honiara immediately after issuing the directive, leaving the delegation members behind in Brisbane. “It is his leadership style and performance that allegedly put off government MPs in the GNUT coalition,” one pointed out. Government MPs, including some who attended the Brisbane talks are said to have indicated to the GNUT leadership they wanted Deputy Prime Minister Bradley removed – and soon.
“It’s either him or us,” the group allegedly warned the GNUT leadership. The Government appears to have heeded the warning seriously. It allegedly began doling out thousands of dollars to keep Government MPs intact.
According to eyewitnesses, yellow envelopes allegedly containing up to $10, 000 each were given out to Government MPs in Parliament last Friday. Whether that is enough to stem the apparent flow is a matter of conjecture as the dealings of the $140 million comes to the fore. It seems there is more to why there is apparent stonewalling by those who came up with the buy-back scheme in the first place.
Stonewalling appears to be widespread as well. Take for example, a news report by In-Depth Solomons on the Public Accounts Committee hearing last week. Paula Uluinaceva – the Accountant General – was extensively quoted in the PAC hearing, according to In-Depth Solomons article.
Solomon Star sent Mr Uluinaceva three questions, including whether the total payout of $32 million was the final. Our query was met with a “I will defer to our legal counsel John Muria for any communication on this matter.” His response was also copied to a Mckinnie, Margaret, Douglas, Coswal and David amongst others.
Whether this is tantamount to stonewalling is something only lawyers can comment on. What it boils down to though is that the government team was told in Brisbane that the only viable and cost-effective option left to the Government is for direct talks with the Board and Management of LSL-RIPEL. Anything else is beyond the financial ability of the government.
That seems to be the plausible reason why the government finds it hard to swallow the bitter pill. Solomon Star reached out to Mr Patrick Wong, Chairman of LSL – RIPEL about these allegations that the Brisbane talks are linked to the current situation within SIG. Patrick Wong, via email, “has flatly and strongly denied these allegations, refuting the Brisbane talks are linked to the current situation within SIG.
“This is Plainly Incorrect and Wrong on every front,” Mr Wong said. “I refute this in the strongest term.” The Deputy Prime Minister messaged Mr Wong, sending his sincere apologies that he needed to rush back home that Friday; due to a personal family matter, concerning his son.
The DPM, even showed Mr Wong some of the messages from his wife as proof and Mr Wong then sent the DPM his well wishes, that he is able to resolve his urgent family matter, as family comes first. Mr Wong said to demonstrate that these allegations are incorrect, his group received a letter last week from King & Woods Mallesons. “This shows that discussions are on track.
The letter was lengthy and Board of LSL would need to study and formulate their position and respond as soon as possible. The letter, Mr Wong said, was headed “Confidential and Privileged”..
