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Miner’s bid for Rennell bauxite being screened

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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By EDDIE OSIFELO

MINISTRY of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification is screening the application of Nickel Enterprise SI Limited (NESI) showing interest to do bauxite mining on West Rennell.

This comes as a so-called West Rennell Land and Resources Owners Association denounced the recent deal between the National Government and NESI.

Permanent Secretary, Dr Christopher Vehe said the company had submitted its application to the former director Nicholas Biliki.

Vehe said the application is currently going through a due diligence check on technical, financial and other requirements before it is tabled before the Mines and Mineral Board.

 The West Rennell Land and Resources Owners Association claimed that NESI is the replica of Asia Pacific Investment Development’s (APID) subcontractor, Bintan Mining SI Limited.

Island Sun checked the Company Haus and found out that NESI’s two directors are Ka Chun Michael CHUI and Long Long SU.

Private lawyer, Whitlam K Togamae is NESI’s contact point.

Solomon Enterprise PTE Limited owns NESI, a Private Company Limited by Shares, incorporated on October 12, 2017 in Singapore.

Bintan Mining SI Ltd is owned by Bintan Mining Corporation, incorporated in British Virgin Islands, and registered in Hong Kong as a ‘foreign company’.

Bintan’s two directors are Grace Mercado Aquino and Kwok Fung Wai.

Permanent Secretary Vehe said there are court cases of APID for judicial review after the Mines and Mineral Board cancelled its mining licence and Registrar of Titles in the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Survey cancelled its Perpetual Estate Title.

APID’s lawyer, Gabriel Suri said APID has challenged the cancellation of the registration of Perpetual Estate of PN. 298-005-1.

He said the parties are still waiting for a ruling.

Furthermore, he said APID appealed against the cancellation of the Mining Lease No. 1/2014 by the Minister for Mines.

He said the parties are still waiting for the court’s ruling.

MPGIS: new Mala ministers to be formalized soon

Written by
Press Release
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Deputy Premier, Hon Glen Waneta between the two newly sworn-in ministers, Hon Simon Ke’ebo (left), Hon Jimmy Daoni (second from right) and Clerk Matthew Maefai (right).

The Ministry of Provincial Governments and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS) has dismissed an Island Sun report that claimed Minister Rollen Seleso delays the endorsement of MARA Government appointments.

In a statement, the MPGIS said it has already engaged in the process of formally appointing new ministers submitted by Premier Daniel Suidani.

“But unlike Choiseul Province, the documents from the Malaita Assembly are incomplete,” the statement said.

“The Assembly Clerk only submitted a basic cover letter listing the names of newly appointed executive members plus a copy of an appointment gazette draft, but no further details,” it added.

“We are still waiting for individual copies of sworn statements and details of Executive members before we can confirm with AG Chambers to proceed with the draft Gazette instrument.

“These are basic administration matters and Minister Seleso has already given instructions for the formal appointments weeks ago.”

The statement said in the case of Choiseul Provincial, the Clerk had submitted all required signed documents including signed copies of swearing-in documents by the minister of the new executive members under their new Premier, upon which the Minister duly appointed.

 “We are yet to receive signed sworn copies from Malaita Province despite sending an email to the clerk and his assistant officer,” the statement said.

“The premier should not be worried.

“He should proceed with his Provincial Government’s business and not to worry about administrative matters.

“The Minister has already given his approval and the Gazette should take place once the draft in finalized from the AG Chambers,” the statement added.

It said this case should not be confused with similar cases when the premier was overseas and under quarantine.

“Those previous cases should be clarified by our laws or courts.

“But the requests when the Premier is in the country are straight forward. The Ministry will process as instructed by the Minister.”

Church members urged to get their COVID jabs

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

SECREATRY to Prime Minister Dr Jimmie Rodgers is calling on everyone in the country, church members in particular, to get their vaccination.

Rodgers made the call following reports that COVID-19 deaths in Fiji are mostly church members and leader.

“The plea from me to everyone in the country and in particular our church members, please take this seriously,” Rodgers said in a talk-back show, Sunday.

“I think there could be theological debate on whether this is right or wrong,” he added.

“There are some that says this is the mark of the beast (666)

“Let me ask you all, if COVID-19 is the mark of the beast then what is the measles vaccine?

“What is the tetanus vaccine? What is the Tuberculosis vaccine?”

Rodgers stressed these are the vaccines that save the people and the children of this country exactly the same way as COVID-19 vaccine is.

“COVID-19 vaccine is not the mark of the beast it is God that give us the wisdom to make sure we have something that protect his creation which is you and me.

“So let us not interpret this wrongly.

“I beg you, please do not use knowledge that maybe misdirected so that we convinced people not protect themselves.

“I beg you please get vaccinated,” he said.

Pfizer vaccines arriving today

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

THE third COVID-19 vaccine to be introduced in the country, the Pfizer vaccine, is confirmed to arrive today.

Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Health, Pauline McNeil announced this Sunday.

“We will receive 100 thousand doses of Pfizer vaccine this week on Tuesday (today),” she said.

“We are looking forward to receiving Pfizer vaccine especially for less than 18 to 12 years and above and pregnant women.”

McNeil stressed for now the Ministry of Health has been working closely with Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development to map out to administer COVID-19 doses in schools.

That is still an ongoing discussion.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare on Friday 12th November confirmed in his national address that Pfizer vaccine will arrive in the country today.

Sogavare said Pfizer have been approved by the World Health Organisation for Emergency use for all persons 12 years and above.

He said that rollout will commence in Honiara and slowly expand to the provinces.

Church skips prayer due to king tide

Written by
Ben Bilua
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A house at Fishing Village during low tide.

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

THE unusual king tide which affects low lying islands in the country has forced Transfiguration Church at Fishing Village, Western province, to skip one of its programme.

Speaking to Island Sun Gizo, church member Emma Edau said for the past few weeks their church has been filled with salt water due to the high tide.

This has forced the church to postpone their programmes.

“As strong Christians we normally gather together in our church for prayer daily, but this unusual tide has stopped us from going to church.

“Our church leaders encouraged us to pray in our household and that is what we do at the moment,” Edau said.

Island Sun understands that the Fishing Village is vulnerable to sea level rise.

The village is sitting on coral stones filled with ground in a muddy mangrove area.

Residents of the village have been filling ground in an effort to raise the ground few metres above sea level.

Neighbouring villages have also been reported to be affected by the king tide.

Report reaching this paper says the tide has also flooded few houses during high tides at Nusabaruku village.

MRD undertakes reforms

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Press Release
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Permanent Secretary of MRD, Allan Daonga.

The Ministry of Rural Development (MRD) is undertaking fundamental reforms to keep up with change amidst increasing demands for better service delivery to all Solomon Islanders.

These reforms include;

  • Development of the MRD new information/database management system to track, capture and store information on the progress of projects under Constituency Development Fund (CDF) program in order to promote accountability and transparency.
  • Constituency Planning Strengthening Project (CPSP) which aimed at improving the CDF accountability for sustainable development results.
  • MRD functional review which is currently proceeding to assess practical efficiencies and effectiveness of the ministry in fulfilling its mandate.

“Government through the ministry is determined to improve the effectiveness of the CDF and to deliver sustainable development results through these reform initiatives,” Permanent Secretary Allan Daonga said in a statement.

MRD is one of the government’s line ministries mandated for the management and administration of CDF and supporting socio-economic rural development within the 50 constituencies throughout Solomon Islands.

“The CDF programme constitute nearly a quarter of the government overall development budget allocations annually. However, there is no proper tracking mechanism to be able to track the progress of the projects under this program in order to promote accountability and transparency.

“Also, there is no reporting mechanism to guide government policies regarding the program. Therefore, MRD through its management has listed the development of this Information Management System that would help address the aforementioned shortfalls in its capabilities,” Daonga emphasised.

On the reforms of Constituency Planning Strengthening Project (CPSP) the Permanent Secretary said that MRD is taking a leading role in reforming the constituency planning process to ensure its priorities are consistent with the National Development Strategy (NDS) Objectives and other related international and regional strategies including the Sustainable Development Goals that Solomon Islands has subscribed to by 2030.

“Strengthening the planning and institutional arrangements are fundamental to address the current situation and must be championed at both the constituency and national levels.

“Provisioned under the Legal Notice 164 and the CDF Act 2013, MRD is responsible for the coordination of the RCDF in close collaboration with 50 constituencies towards delivering tangible development results in the rural areas.

“The CDF Act Section 6, emphasize the need to have Constituency Development Plans developed to guide the distribution of the CDF.

“However, the enforcement of the CDF Act is limited as regulations accompanying the CDF Act is yet to be gazetted. Despite of the level of funding provided, there is very little information on how RCDF funds are used and in what manner it is allocated for development purposes at the constituency level.

“So, CPSP once implemented sequentially would realise the overall goal of the program which is, “to improve the CDF accountability for sustainable development results.”

The third fundamental reform which currently undertaken by MRD is the functional review.

A fulfilment of the reforms is the establishment of the Communication and Public Relations Unit of the ministry.

“The Functional Review will assess functional efficiencies and effectiveness of MRD in fulfilling its mandate, specifically how the different Units within Rural Development Division function to deliver the overall mandate of the Ministry,” Daonga said.

The review also asses the other departments within the ministry on the same.

The Permanent Secretary is adamant that the revised structure will position the Ministry to best deliver its key mandates, the Corporate Plan performance indicators, NDS implementation and DCGA Reprioritisation Policy priorities that will enhance delivery of services to the people of Solomon Islands.  

MRD vision is to ensure all rural Solomon Islanders become meaningfully participated in development activities to improve their social and economic livelihood.

–MRD PRESS

Marita attends culture program

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Press Release
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DCG Dennis Marita with Mr Trinh Quoc Anh (left) and Mr Passakan Prathombutr (right) together with a Thailand Pavilion staff

Solomon Islands Deputy Commissioner General and Pavilion Director Dennis Marita attended a Cultural Exchange Programme organised by the Vietnam and Thailand Pavilion on Saturday, 13 November 2021.

Marita was greeted upon arrival at the Thailand Pavilion by Passakan Prathombutr, Senior Executive Vice President of Digital Economy Promotion Agency and Vietnam Pavilion Director Mr Trinh Quoc Anh.

The week-long Loy Krathong Festival is one of the highlights of the pavilion’s events calendar.

During this period, it is customary for families and friends to make and float their own artistic and decorative Krathong, which translated means “to float a basket”. Loy Krathong is traditionally used as a way of saying goodbye to misfortune and the problems of the past year and making wishes for the coming year ahead

Similar to the Solomon Islands, the Vietnamese also use a bamboo musical instrument called T’rung, which has been considered as a familiar symbol of Vietnamese people’s life and soul to create distinctive musical instruments.

The authentic sounds from the Vietnamese blended in well with the contemporary musical arrangements of the Vietnamese musicians.

Marita said that it was important for countries with rich cultural background to encourage exchange programs and initiatives so that our future generations can continue the traditions of preserving our unique identity.

“Vietnam and Thailand are countries with rich Cultural Heritage and history going back centuries, the same as Solomon Islands. The magnificent demonstration of traditional music using traditional instruments (of mostly bamboos) by the Vietnamese band is really beautiful, authentic and inspiring indeed. It reminds us of the panpipe music of Solomon Islands which the country is looking forward to also showcase during our National Day here on the 21 Dec 2021. Solomon Islands is looking forward to cultural exchange programmes between the three countries in the future.”

–GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATION UNIT

SIICAC rolls out anti- corruption awareness

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Press Release
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Kia Community Reps, IPG staff and MPA Kia ward with SIICAC Team

The Solomon Islands Independent Commission against Corruption (SIICAC) has completed a week-long anti-corruption awareness program in Kia village, Isabel province last week.    

A Government statement said the awareness program is part of SIICAC’s first cycle of nationwide anti-corruption campaign program that the Commission is beginning to roll out across the country.

“The program included presentations about SIICAC’s establishment as an agency under the Anti-Corruption Act and its mandated roles and responsibilities to combat corruption in the country,” the statement said.

“The team also held discussions and question and answer sessions on corruption issues with the Kia community members,” it added.

“A separate awareness session and discussion was also held during the week with youths from the community.”

Eta Council of Chiefs and Kia Community Representative Chief Douglas Boi Rove thanked the team saying the awareness program was very informative as it was the first time for some of the community members to learn and know about SIICAC and its role.

Boi Rove assured the team that people in Kia village are happy to work with the commission and join in the anti-corruption campaign in our societies.

Member of the Isabel Provincial Assembly for Kia Ward Sam Watson said the Isabel Provincial Government, IPG, is working closely with the National Government through full support to SIICAC in the anti-corruption campaign in Isabel Province.

The current campaign is a lead up event to the upcoming International Anti-corruption day celebration on 09th December.

The Isabel Provincial Government has planned to host the International Anti-corruption day celebrations in Buala this year.

IPG has also supported the current awareness program to be conducted around Isabel province in collaboration with the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, OPMC, and UNDP.

SIICAC Director General John Kouni thanked the Kia Community, Isabel Provincial Government, Solomon Islands Government and UNDP for cooperation and support rendered towards the work of the Commission.

Anti-Corruption campaign is a top priority of the Democratic Coalition Government for Advancement (DCGA) under its redirection policy to support and fully establish SIICAC to effectively carry out its mandated role.

Village students act to restore food security

Written by
Charles Kadamana
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Solomon Yeo, left and Rodrick Rolland with British High Commissioner to Solomon Islands.

By CHARLES KADAMANA

Students and surrounding communities at Kolokoda primary school in Isabel province are taking action to restore food security now under threat due to climate change.

As part of the action, they are currently constructing a permanent nursery that will provide an opportunity to bring together young students, youths and the community to enhance their knowledge and understanding of climate change and food security.

The project is implemented by two members of the Pacific Islands Students Fighting for Climate change Solomon Yeo and Rodrick Rollands supported by Pacific Islands Forum.

In an interview with this paper prior to implementing the project, Mr Rollands said climate change remains to be one of the single greatest threats to people’s livelihood, security, wellbeing and still, are growing crises that requires urgent commitment and action.

He said the project stems out from the challenges experienced by the people of this community and of course throughout the Solomon Islands.

He said the existing environmental challenges experienced by the community have gradually increased and at present is already an imminent threat to food security for women, children, men and most importantly to the older women and men and the disable ones.

He said currently the situation of the people living at Kolokoda school and the surrounding communities, has been growing, to be very difficult to access better yields and root crops for consumption daily.

“These people rely heavily on the land, plants and streams for their livelihoods, but with the burden of climate change, especially the irregular weather patterns and the human influences and activities to the environment it has been a major contributing factor to the current difficulties experienced by the people especially with food security,” he said.

He said this is where the construction of permanent nursery to provide high yield root crops for the community is important.

He said through such project it will provide an opportunity to bring together young students, youths and the community to enhance their knowledge and understanding on climate change and food security, and how important it is to adapt to this environmental crisis and the changing environment.

He said the important of the project built at the Kolokoda Primary School is to allow the young students to start engaging in promoting food security and enhancing their capacity to grasp the knowledge, understanding and the value that food can be grown around their homes with proper techniques and methods.

“More importantly that these young students and children, starts to develop their attitude of ownership over their environment and see the value and important to take care of their own environment, which in the future they too can experience a better environment and access to food availability than the one we are experiencing now, in a more sustainable way.     

“With the outcome of this project, we expect to achieve or see, a resilient community of students with people having access to availability to different varieties of food crops that can be easily planted in the nursery and as well as around their homes.

“Furthermore, young students are well informed on the changing environment, its causes and ways to adapt in terms of the food security, and more importantly for students and children, to have the knowledge and capacity to provide for their own livelihood in a much sustainable way.

“We ought to carry out education and awareness to the young students at Kolokoda Primary school and at the same time provide a physical and tangible alternative to the school,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Yeo the campaign director recently represented the youth-lead organization at the COP26 in Glasgow.

Renbel premier rejects calls to resign

Written by
Irwin Angiki
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BY IRWIN ANGIKI

Premier of Rennell-Bellona province Willie Tuhagega has rebutted calls for him to step down.

An elder in ward-three, West Rennell, Jonathan Tohuika had made this call, citing serious allegations of corruption, abuse of office and of funds meant for the province’s coffers.

Two members of Rennell-Bellona’s public accounts committee [PAC] tell Island Sun the allegations are well-known within the province’s political circle, and by the savvy of Renbel’s public.

The deputy premier [MPA for ward-seven] has defended his boss, saying the allegations are “just rumours cooked to taint the reputation of the premier”.

Three other members of provincial assembly have been willing to respond to Island Sun enquiries, provided their identities are kept confidential, citing cultural reasons.

One, who is a member of Premier Tuha’s executive, said: “Tohuika’s allegations which are based on the PAC’s findings are true, however, the others are just allegations.”

The other two, members of the non-executive, say they are aware of the allegations since it is talked about openly within their circle [among MPAs themselves].

In August this year, Renbel’s PAC published a Report revealing “issues of concern” going on in the provincial government and its admin.

These include:

  • High use of temporary imprests – PAC believes is a tactic to hide misuse of funds in budget;
  • Budgeting Inactive Head and Sub-Heads – funds allocated are utilised without any physical proof;
  • Unretired Imprests;
  • Account Payable – huge number of payments made to ghost suppliers;
  • Payment Procedures – spending of provincial funds done by unauthorised officers and paid to the wrong people;
  • Payment Vouchers without Supporting Documents – unauthorised payments raised obligating the province to unwanted financial or performance commitment, financial reporting misstatements, funds division and personal gains;
  •  Account Receivables – Revenue collected outside the province’s Financial Protocols, contradicting the Provincial Financial Management Ordinance;
  • Revenue Collection Strategy – outstanding revenue collected by unauthorised officers without knowledge of the Executive;
  • Revenue Policies and Procedures – province lacks of revenue policies and procedures;
  • Investors License Fee – most mining/logging investors didn’t pay their licence fee, some made incomplete payments but continue to carry out operations in Rennell;
  • Dual Cash Book – one records revenues collected and deposited to the RBP Bank Account while the other Cash Book is used to record Revenues collected outside the revenue collection protocols.

Following PAC’s report publication, Tohuika launched his call on Premier Tuha to step down.

Additional to some of PAC’s findings, Tohuika lists a few allegations claiming Tuha had been collecting licences, fees and other payments meant for the provincial coffers and using them for his own personal gain.

In his letter to the media, dated September 9 this year, Tohuika said the huge number of allegations against premier Tuha does not speak well of that office thus he must resign.

Premier Tuha, speaking to Island Sun last month, refuted all of Tohuika’s allegations, and demands that he provides evidence for them.

Secretary to the Renbel PAC [name witheld], tells Island Sun that Tohuika’s allegations hold a degree of truth.

He says during the course of the PAC investigations, persons working in the provincial admin as well as MPAs, both in government and non-executive, have corroborated concerns which relate to Tohuika’s allegations.

He backs revelations by the two non-executive MPAs that Tohuika’s allegations of Premier Tuha being involved in abuse and misuse of funds are well-known topics of conversation in Renbel’s political circle.

An auditor of the OAG, speaking to Island Sun on condition of anonymity, says their investigations and findings in previous Renbel governments and current, point to malpractice that is common in Renbel province.

“Renbel province officers or politicians collect revenue and use them for whatever means, then record them as imprests.

“Most, if not all, of these revenues do not get to be deposited into the province’s bank account and used properly or in the proper channel, and remain unaccounted for.

“First come, first serve is observed to be the common practice.”

Island Sun understands that the OAG are auditing the Renbel province.

Allegations and Premier Tuha’s responses:

Listed below are Tohukia’s allegations, each followed by Premier Tuha’s response.

Tohuika: Direct involvement of Premier Willie Tuhagenga in many controversial development activities in the province

Premier Tuha: I have never involved in any controversial development activities in the province. Tohuika needs to specify which activities.

Tohuika: Bintan Mining Company operation in West Rennell, as more holes and stock filings are still in West Rennell to date which also had left the land owners in limbo and total hopeless. Yet Premier Willie Tuha was reported facilitating this same failed company in the name of “Nickel Enterprises Solomon Islands Ltd”

Premier Tuha: Bintang Mining Company (BMC/BMSI) is the company that was terminated by the Mineral Board along with APID few months ago. BMC directors register a company with a new investor from Singapore, the Nickel Enterprise Solomon Islands Ltd (NESI) and they applied for the mining licence previously held by APID.  I fully understand these connections and I need wisdom to deal with matters far wider than what Jonathan Tohuika knows. It is not simple as he thinks. I see those holes and stock piles every day and what is Tohuika going to do with them? I am not ignorant about all these.

My question to you Jonathan is, who is going to pay for these holes and stock piles? If you think you know anyone willing to will pay now then I will agree with you.

We also have other outstanding landowners’ royalties, Community Development Agreement Funds, West Rennell lease, access and jetty agreements and other benefits under CDA. Tell me Tohuika, who is going to help the landowners?

I am a landowner myself and I have some outstanding rentals that someone has to pay. My first task is to negotiate with NESI because this is the company that the mineral board will screen next and they have given the assurances that they will manage these outstanding accounts.

Any other company will not be liable for these outstanding payments. This will be one of the conditions for NESI to enter new negotiations and new agreements and new benefits. This is the wish of many landowners in West Rennell who have signed their support for NESI.

We have learned our lesson and we hold the same view as our MP and I quote; “we don’t want to stop mining, we want a better mining operation, better benefits to contribute to our development”, end quote. We now have the opportunity to review all mining activities then make a decision.

Landowners still hold the power to change the whole scenario. Our executive will advise and facilitates better negotiations and agreements for the landowners.  

There are no hidden agendas, all these issues are discussed in our executive meetings and we are all clear on this.

Tohuika: Tuha was very instrumental in approving and making arrangement for many other investors returning to West Rennell including; Gulf Three, New World, Solomon Resources

Premier Tuha: There is only one company that is operating in West Rennell that we approved last year which is Solomon Resources Ltd and one this year which is New World which came in about four months ago. There is no left to right. We budgeted for two companies and follow that through. Jonathan please if you don’t know these things then it’s safe to come and discuss with me.

Tohuika: Province was operating two separate cashbooks. Premier Willie further confirmed that one book was recording the payments that was collected on hard cash, outside of the system, while the other account was recording those payment that was procedurally paid to the province. His lame reason was this is the normal practice in Renbel Province

Premier Tuha: There are NO two separate accounts. PAC should know better than that. There is only one operating account at BSP. What I explained is that the province under the former Premiers operate two cash books.

The second cash book records the small portion of cash paid by the companies. All cash received are receipted and expended on our operation as mandated. All processes are followed. 

I advise PAC that the current system will continue temporarily until we get our finance team settled in our new office. With the current leadership of our new PS Acting Aubrey Saueha, all cash collected are deposited and I am happy about this.

Right now we still don’t have a fully functional accounting system. Most of our team work outside of our office at Tigoa HQ putting things together ready for our new set up. In few months’ time we will have our administration and financial processes in place when our team no longer need to take our work outside of the office. This issue is now resolved.     

Tohuika: Premier Tuha misused the internal revenues of $100,000 to keep his executive members, before the motion of no confidence, especially the member for ward-7 who was reported receiving the highest offer of $40,000

Premier Tuha: The 100k my staff administer these funds and have been accounted for. The 40k, I have no knowledge of this. I deny paying any money to MPA of Ward 7.

[MPA for Ward-7 (Deputy Premier) has denied this claim to Island Sun].

Tohuika: $150,000 was collected direct from the Gulf Tree in November 2020, as part of the business license till now, no one knows as how that money was used

Premier Tuha: This fund was administered by my staff and have been accounted for. All provincial funds are accounted for and are used according to our plans. As the Premier of the province, I have a discretionary fund passed in our budget that I expend using my best judgement and according to financial regulations.

These funds are used in the best interest of the Office of the Premier, support to urgent ward needs through their MPAs, community activities, welfare of the Premier and many more. This fund is under my discretion and Jonathan you have no part in this and you don’t question my mandated authority.

Tohuika: 2019/20, the province was collecting a total of $4.9m, in its internal revenues, while in 2020/21, the Province was recorded collecting a total of $4.4m. The very disturbing part was that of this total $9.3m, only $250,000 was recorded pay through the provincial account while the rest was paid cash outside of the system. In other word, $9,050,000 was paid outside of the provincial account

Premier Tuha: These figures are false and we know Tohuika is trying to gain points. I have no knowledge of the 250k. The figures stated by Tohuika are incorrect and I have no idea where he got his figures from. These figures include SIG grants, PCDF Project funds and very little internal revenue actually collected. Our revised budget was only $5m include all funding, where did we collect $4.4m in cash? I cannot reconcile your figures. These figures are incorrect, may be from the time of the former Premiers.

Tohuika: The fishing arrangement made by Premier Willie Tuha in the name of the Provincial Executive has put the province further down in its effort to progress and advance into the future. Inside source confirmed that this Premier had approved a mother fishing company from China to harvest the marine resource in Renbel particularly in the indispensable reef. Prior to the approval, report confirmed that the Premier and his cronies had collected the sum of $300,000 hard cash, as part payment of the provincial business licence

Premier Tuha: I have no knowledge of this payment and there was no such payment received. Jonathan Tohuika must provide evidences to prove his claim.

Tohuika: Construction of the road from Tegano to Hutuna, in the lake was also involving some payments which was reported shared among by the premier and his executive member for ward-one

Premier Tuha: This is another false claim, we know the province is yet to be compensated for the work we did. I confirm that nobody was paid for this work. Check with MID to confirm. Jonathan must provide evidence to proof his claim.

The provincial government spent quite a big amount to complete the road to Hutuna and MID promised to deliver a new vehicle to the province and we are still following up.

Finally we passed our assessment twice since we came in. These allegations are the opposite.

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