LICENCE holders of firearms are supposedly not to have their arms replaced or be given back as there are no plans to do so.
Minister for Police, National Security and Correctional Services, Chris Laore told parliament during question and answer session.
The question was asked by the Member of Parliament for Ngella, Johnley Hatimoana
Minister Laore said to replace or giveback firearms to licence holders is absurd “when the RSIPF is yet to be rearmed.”
“The security situation in the country is still not fitting,” he said.
He clarified that the total arms collected or destroyed between 2003 and 2004 are 4000; 2,171 of which are unlicensed or not known.
743 of these licence holders have been stated are yet to be compensated by the government.
Northwest Choiseul MP, Manasseh Sogavare also questioned the scheme to compensate firearms licence holders.
“To remove something not belonging to you, one has to compensate for it. This is made firm by the minister then, with cabinet decision to compensate according to the market value; is this decision still stand?” he questioned.
Mr Laore replied the scheme eventually was suspended in 2010 due to mismanagement of funds.
“There are some licensed firearms holders yet to be paid but were put on halt due to mismanagement of the project.
“It went well until 2010 when it was suspended.”
Minister Laore said the ministry still hold some funds but they cannot do anything at this stage because of the suspension.
By BRADFORD THEONOMI
