BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
Central Guadalcanal MP Peter Shanel Agovaka calls for an investigation into the COVID-19 Economic Stimulus Package (ESP) and a need for a proper report and greater accountability.
Mr Agovaka raised the issue during last week’s debate on the Motion of No Confidence against Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele and his government.
He alleged that some Members of Parliament had registered multiple companies and applied for funds under the controversial stimulus package.
“This is bad for a single person to register 10 companies and apply for the stimulus package,” he said.
Mr Agovaka also questioned the lack of an audited report for the 2023 Pacific Games hosted in Honiara, Solomon Islands.
“We also want to see the audited report of the South Pacific Games 2023. We asked for so much money. Much money was given by the government. However, to date there is no report on the Pacific Games. Where is the report?”
He further raised concerns over the financial and audit reports relating to the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting (PIF) held in Honiara in 2025.
“Where is its financial report and audit report? There was a lot of money allocated, not only from the government but also from our donor partners,” he said.
Mr Agovaka said that the public deserves to know how public funds were spent.
“We need to look at these reports. There is no accountability. And if we form the next government, we will ensure these reports are made public,” he said.
He also spoke on issues surrounding sufferance wharves, alleging that some government MPs were linked to individuals involved in the operations.
“These are leakages of finance in the country. This includes tax exemptions. You hardly see revenue collection,” he alleged.
He also raised concerns over 33 shipments from the Rennell and Bellona bauxite mine, claiming they were never properly accounted for.
“Where is the report? The people of Rennell and Bellona have been waiting to know what happened to those shipments,” he said.
He added that Gold Ridge Mine Limited contributed around $200 million in revenue to the government in 2025 and will increase this year.
“We would not let that money to be misused,” he said.
He said these were among the reasons behind the Motion of No Confidence against the Prime Minister and his government.
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