-Finance Minister Ramofafia maintains claim of revoking tax exemption the next day

-Govt announces revocation, publishing order

-Opposition not buying it

-Many other 100% tax exemptions issued on April 24 & 27 worth millions

BY IRWIN ANGIKI

Government says it has officially revoked the tax exemption previously awarded to BS Pacific Resources on fuel import prices.

This followed public outcry after Island Sun reported that the GNUT government had granted exemption to BS Pacific Resources, a business with known connections to GNUT.

Opposition Leader Matthew Wale has labelled GNUT’s action as ‘favouritism, incompetence and backroom dealing’.

This 100 percent tax exemption, which Finance Minister Rexon Ramofafia granted on Thursday, April 23, was for 4.5 million litres of fuel, and represented foregone government revenue estimated to be more than $6 million.

Mr Ramofafia had told Island Sun on Sunday, April 26, that he had revoked that tax exemption the next day, Friday, April 24.

BS Pacific Resource told Island Sun in an interview on Monday, April 27, that it had received the tax exemption the same day Minister Ramofafia signed it (ie. Thursday, April 23) but has not received the revocation letter on its purported date of signing (ie. Friday, April 24).

Ramofafia speaking to Island Sun yesterday insisted that he had signed the revocation letter on Friday, April 24, but did not know why it had not reached the company.

He expressed surprise how the company could receive the tax exemption document on the day it was signed, and not the revocation letter.

Official announcement of the revocation

Government Communication Unit (GCU) announced the revocation yesterday with a photo of the revocation order showing the document to be signed on Friday, April 24.

This decision was made after careful review and evaluation to ensure alignment with national interests and established policies, the statement by GCU yesterday said.

Minister Ramofafia had acted promptly to revoke the exemption, guided by principles of fairness, transparency, and good governance, GCU said.

“While Government retains the prerogative to grant tax exemptions to local companies, such decisions are made following careful case-by-case review and evaluation to ensure alignment with national interests and established policies.

“The government remains committed to managing current fuel price increases. The revocation order, which took effect on April 24, now resolves public concerns raised recently on social media,” GCU statement said.

I had revoked it the next day: Ramofafia

Ramofafia had told Island Sun on Sunday (April 26) when the paper sought him for comments that he had signed the tax exemption on Thursday, but then revoked it the next day.

He assured Island Sun that he would send a copy of the revocation order on Monday, April 27, but never did.

Island Sun sent him reminders on Monday via email and phone but no response.

Yesterday (Tuesday, April 28) morning the PM Press Secretariat sent a photo of the revocation order to Island Sun.

Ramofafia later called Island Sun expressing disappointment at his image being tarnished by the media articles on this issue.

He reiterated that he had signed the revocation on Friday, April 24.

“I revoked it on Friday, because I know it was on Thursday that one happened and me myself, how I do things, if something I do and I am not comfortable with, means it’s [not good], so after I signed it I myself, on my own conviction, the next day I revoked it.”

Another reason Ramofafia said he had revoked his tax exemption for BS Pacific Resources was because he deemed it unfair.

“Another reason I revoked it too was because it was not fair on everyone,” Ramofafia said.

When asked why he had not provided a copy of the revocation order on Monday to Island Sun as he had promised, Ramofafia said he was out of office and that he was not using his official email address, rather was using a private gmail address which was unknown to Island Sun.

Ramofafia also questioned Island Sun’s sources within the Finance Ministry saying that he believed some officers in his ministry were working against him.

“I think it has something to do with my officials too, because I believe this is some kind of move to tarnish me,” Ramofafia explained why the exemption documents were quick to reach the recipient while the revocation order did not.

Opposition not buying it

Opposition Leader Wale doubts that Finance Minister Ramofafia had revoked the tax exemption the next day, describing the situation as ‘a clear case of damage control after exposure’.

“They acted first and reversed the decision after being exposed. It will not be a surprise a revocation letter will be back dated to cover their tracks,” Wale said.

“If this was not exposed, it would have gone through. That is the truth,” he said.

Wale said the exemptions are not new traits by the current GNUT.

The last time the exemptions by the former finance minister, Manasseh Sogavare, were leaked by the current finance minister, it was a ploy to get him the top job, Wale said.

“This looks exactly like preferential treatment for a political financier followed by a failed attempt to clean up lies.

“This is not governance. This is a rushed cover up after millions in concession to a politically connected beneficiary was brought to light,” Wale said.

GNUT issued many 100 percent tax exemptions on April 24

Meanwhile, Island Sun understands that many other 100 percent tax exemptions were given by GNUT on April 24 and Monday this week worth millions.

For example, 10 dump trucks worth $13.5 million in which government lost customs duties (10 percent) and goods tax (19.5 percent) totalling $3.97 million.

Another 100 percent tax exemption for 343 machines worth $107,304,241 with customs duties and goods tax totalling $31.6 million.

Another exemption for 10 pick-up trucks worth $1.6 million with customs duties and goods tax totalling $479,077.

Other exemptions for machinery parts worth nearly $200,000, with customs duties and goods tax totalling $54,843.

Island Sun will publish a full report on this soon.

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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

THE Solomon Islands Fujian Association has donated food supplies to communities affected by Tropical Cyclone Maila.

The association handed over bags of rice, cartons of noodles, taiyo and biscuits to Deputy Premier of Western Province, Brian Lotikena yesterday.

Lotikena said the donation comes in at the right time as most communities in Western Province are still without food after the cyclone.

He said Western Province has sister relationship with Fujian Province in China and that the donation is show of friendship between Fujian Province and Western Province.

“Solomon Fujian Association are happy to help affected people of Western Province.

“As a deputy Premier of Western Province, I am very happy and say thank you for this assistance for my people of Western Province.

“Really appreciate such help during our times of need,” Lotikena said.

He said the donation will be sent to the Western Provincial Disaster Operation Committee for distributions.

Lotikena said Western Province looks forward to working closely with the Fujian Association in Solomon Islands.

Photo: Supplied

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BY RODRICK DESURI

The Assembly of God Church in Malaita Province through a donation has supported the Malaita Provincial Government to help communities affected by Tropical Cyclone Maila.

The donation was officially handed over yesterday morning at the Premier’s Office in Auki, following an appeal by the Malaita Provincial Government to churches, communities, and groups to assist affected sister provinces.

Speaking during the handover, Assembly of God Pastor Joash Maefasia said that although the donation may appear small, it reflects the church’s commitment and compassion for affected communities.

He said other provinces share the same concern and are ready to support one another during times of disaster.

“As brothers and sisters, we are here to support one another,” Pastor Maefasia said, encouraging affected communities to remain strong and seek God’s grace during the difficult period.

He also shared a message of encouragement, urging people not to dwell on what has happened.

Meanwhile, Malaita Provincial Premier Elijah Asilau’a acknowledged and thanked the church for its contribution and support towards the humanitarian appeal.

He said the church’s willingness to assist and help coordinate relief efforts demonstrates strong leadership, compassion, and Christian service during a time of national need.

“Their dedication reflects the spirit of unity and solidarity that is essential in responding to disasters that have deeply affected many families and communities,” the Premier said.

The humanitarian appeal for communities affected by TC Maila in the Western, Shortland, and Isabel provinces remains open, with the deadline set for 15 May 2026.

Individuals, churches, businesses, and organisations are encouraged to support and continue making donations before the deadline.

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BY IRWIN ANGIKI

OPPOSITION Leader Matthew Wale has criticised government over exposed ‘favouritism, incompetence and backroom dealing’ in its tax exemption.

This follows Island Sun’s report yesterday exposing a 100 percent tax exemption of 4.5 million litres of fuel granted to a business with known ties to GNUT by Finance Minister Rexon Ramofafia.

Mr Ramofafia had told Island Sun that he had revoked that tax exemption the next day. However, there is no official revocation instrument to support Ramofafia’s claim.

The tax exemption is estimated to deny government more than $6 million in tax revenue.

In response Mr Wale said, “Let’s be clear, you don’t ‘accidentally’ sign away millions in tax revenue. This was not a mistake. This was a political decision.”

He said Finance Minister Ramofafia’s claim that the exemption was “revoked the next day” only proves that “they acted first and reversed the decision after being exposed. It will not be a surprise a revocation letter will be back dated to cover their tracks”.

In a statement yesterday the Opposition Leader said the fact that this was done in secrecy to a lone fuel retailer who is a financier of GNUT as reported in the media is no surprise.

“There is no transparency, no justification and no benefit to the public. While Solomon Islanders are struggling to afford fuel, this Government was busy cutting deals for the well politically connected,” he said.

“When a politically connected player is handed massive concessions in the middle of a fuel crisis, the public is not stupid, they know exactly what this looks like.”

Wale also slammed the fact that the exemption was granted to a business name, not even a proper company structure describing it as outrageous and indefensible.

“Millions in public money handed to a business name? That is either gross negligence or deliberate manipulation. There is no middle ground,” he said.

Wale said the Government’s actions have distorted the market, unfairly disadvantaging other legitimate fuel suppliers.

“Do away with the favouritism towards political cronies. Honest businesses are paying full taxes while one ‘preferred’ player is given a free ride. That is not policy that is patronage,” he said.

The Opposition Leader warned that the biggest issue is not the cancellation but the intent.

“If this was not exposed, it would have gone through. That is the truth,” he said.

Wale said GNUT has shown it is willing to sacrifice fairness, transparency, and public revenue to benefit the few.

The Opposition Leader said the exemptions are not new traits by the current GNUT.

The last time the exemptions by the former finance minister Manasseh Sogavare were leaked by the current finance minister, it was a ploy to get him the top job.

“The public also deserves to know what other questionable exemptions was issued by the Finance Minister Ramofafia in secrecy,” Wale said.

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By RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

While the BSP station in Auki, Malaita province, has dropped its fuel prices has been welcomed, some transport providers are concerned this has set an unfair playing fuel for fuel retailers.

Yesterday morning, they were surprised to see BSP Refill Station drop its fuel prices from $15 per litre of petrol to $12.40, while diesel prices fell from $14 per litre to $13. 

However, transport service provider Chrissanto Kaeni said it would be fair if they dropped their fuel prices to the normal prices from last month. 

“For petrol, it should drop back to $10 per litre, and $11 per litre for diesel,” he said. 

Another service provider appreciated the new fuel prices but said it will cause problems for other fuel depots that do not have tax exemption from GNUT government.

He said it will affect them and force them to close their fuel depots because of fewer customers.

“Honestly, we appreciate the drop in fuel prices at BSP Refill Station, but one thing that will arise here is that other fuel depots will be affected. This is because they will have fewer customers,” he said.

Sea transport service provider John Giti said government should give exemptions to all fuel stations and depots.

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