-Finance minister Manemahaga says he acted to ‘protect national revenue’ by reallowing sufferance wharves
-Minister takes jibe at Ports and Leroy international wharves
BY IRWIN ANGIKI
Finance Minister Trevor Manemahaga has defended his infamous decision to revoke the suspension of sufferance wharves saying he was simply following ‘due process’ and ‘protecting national revenue’.
Mr Manemahaga praised sufferance wharves as ‘critical to the economy’ saying they contribute to lowering prices of goods and services, and supporting competition in the country by ‘preventing monopolistic pricing’.
Ports Authority and Leroy international wharves have gaps in their capacities which sufferance wharves help alleviate with the ‘growing trend of trade that we are undertaking’, Manemahaga told reporters at a press conference yesterday.
He made example of break-bulk cargoes including cement.
Minister Manemahaga, towing the Government for National Unity and Transformation’s (GNUT) zealousness for process and architecture, highlighted that cabinet had resolved on June 3 this year to set up a special committee to review the use of sufferance wharves.
However, the former finance minister suspended sufferance wharves before a committee was formed, thus had not followed due process, Manemahaga implied.
Manemahaga added that sufferance wharves, contrary to widely held beliefs, comply with the government’s regulations.
“One of the issues a lot of people do not fully understand or grasp is on regulatory compliance. I must say that sufferance wharves observe all the compliance processes, including customs and biosecurity processes. Those processes are fully in place.
“For example, before the ship ports the advance cargo manifest arrives ahead and customs receives it. The process is there, being followed. And, when the ship arrives, inspectors board the ship, the customs, the biosecurity and other relevant authorities board the ship and carry out their checks.
“Another important thing is the payment of all applicable taxes and fees and other charges are done before unloading at the sufferance wharves. So due process is being followed there,” Manemahaga said.
Manemahaga reiterated that his action was done in ‘our best national interest, not in the interest of any individual or any businesses’.
“And the policy direction is based and aligned with the cabinet decision on June 3,” Manemahaga said.
Going forward
Minister Manemahaga said he has set up a taskforce to review the issue of sufferance wharves and submit a report to him before the end of October with its findings.
“I’ve instructed my officials to set up the taskforce immediately to look into the issue of sufferance wharves, and the committee’s first meeting occurred at 10am today.
“And the committee members, comprise of a number of different people from various ministries and government authorities. So I expect the committee to do their review and findings and expect them to report back to me before end of October.
“And then I will bring that report to Cabinet to make the final decision on sufferance wharves. And that will also, let me make it clear, not only the sufferance wharves, but also including the Leroy wharf. So the task of the committee will cover both sufferance wharves and Leroy wharf,” Manemahaga said.
Protecting national revenue
Minister Manemahaga reiterates that he is simply following policies of the government of the day.
“My duty is to uphold Cabinet decision, and to also make sure, as a Minister of Finance, to protect national revenue and also ensure our economy continues to function smoothly.
“While long-term policies are being reviewed, this is about continuity, fairness, and responsible governance, not politics. The position I have taken reflects a collective Cabinet decision.
“It’s not a personal directive from me. So as I’ve said, the review is currently underway and my ministry is acting responsibly within that framework,” Manemahaga said.
Background
Sufferance wharves are seen as hotspots for government’s revenue loss due to non-compliance and also the inability of Customs to adequately monitor these wharves’ activities.
On August 21, 2025 former finance minister Harry Kuma ordered the suspension of use of all sufferance wharves for unloading of imported goods.
Nine days later Mr Kuma was kicked out of the finance portfolio and reshuffled to the ministry of Commerce, Labour and Immigration (MCILI).
Manemahaga, MP for Gao-Bugotu, became the new finance minister. And, on September 4 Manemahaga revoked the suspension order.
The former finance minister’s reasons for suspending the sufferance wharves as stated in the August-21 letter include:
“Serious concerns by the Ministry’s management and relevant authorities, including the Solomon Islands Maritime Authority regarding the Custom Division’s limited capacity to adequately monitor imports at these facilities (sufferance wharves).
“Additionally, some sufferance wharves have been found to be non-compliant with international ship and port facility security (ISPS) standards, posing risks to national trade and revenue collection.”
The letter directed that all imported goods must only be unloaded at the following declared international seaports:
-SIPA International Seaport, Honiara
-Noro International Seaport
-Leroy Wharf International Seaport, Ranadi (East Honiara)
The letter added that ‘all existing permits authorising the unloading of imported goods at any sufferance wharf in the country’ were hereby cancelled.
The suspension did not apply to loading of round logs and mineral-related products for export at the sufferance wharves.
