THE government’s $3.7 million payout made in the name of Aggressor Solomons Limited (ASL) has been over-discussed therefore the Prime Ministers Officer (PMO) cannot make comments.
That was according a very senior official from the Prime Minister’s Office who wanted to remain anonymous.
“This issue has been over-discussed therefore we cannot make anymore further comments,” the official said.
The issue has sparked outrage from tax payers in recent weeks.
The $3.7 million was paid to ASL in the name of boat hiring and damages incurred during the trip.
MPs in the current DCCG regime during the height of the recent political lobbying period and on the eve of the election of the Prime Minister secretly left on MV Sun Express to Mbike Island in Gela.
The camp out was ruined by an attack which involved firearm.
The damage was reportedly paid already by an insurance company which raised more questions than answers on the payout which tax payers argued should not be met by tax money.
The Solomon Star requested the exact breakdown for the payment when the senior official said only the accounts department have the details.
“For public curiosity about the actual break down of the boat hiring, come down to the office and know for yourself, since we can’t provide this information in the media,” the insider stated.
The public had been demanding cabinet to provide breakdowns of the actual costs of boat hiring, goodwill support and double payment of damaged incurred on the boat, which total up to SBD$3.7 million to $5 million, since $1.3 million was initially paid by the insurer (QBE).
The public also demands the Special Secretary to Prime Minister Rence Sore to explain why he was lying in his previous media statement.
Mr Sore initially claimed that the payment does not cover the damage costs but was a support payment.
Documents retrieved from the Ministry of Finance revealed the cost of damage was also covered in the $3.7 million payment.
By AATAI JOHN
