PACIFIC Insurance Brokers Limited (PIB) has denied claims made by the Parliamentary Opposition yesterday in relation to the $3.7 million, allegedly paid out to Aggressor Solomons Limited (ASL).
The opposition in deploring reports that the Government had already made payment to Aggressor Solomons Limited claimed they were reliably informed that PIB had already paid insurance for damages inflicted on MV Sun Express.
But on Thursday, in response to the opposition’s claim, PIB denied having made any such payment to ASL.
“PIB has never made any payments to ASL as claimed by the opposition in their statement.”
The Solomon Star recently uncovered the issue when Cabinet asked the Ministry of Finance to raise a $3.7 million payment for the boat trip to Mbike Island in Ngella, Central Province.
The boat trip on Sun Express owned by ASL was made by a good number of MPs in the current DCC government during the height of the political lobbying period and on the eve of the Prime Minister’s election.
The trip ended up in a tragedy when a gunman opened fire at the boat, allegedly inflicting damages which the Cabinet claimed the $3.7 million payment covered.
The issue sparked public anger, further fueled by reports that the pay-out had already been made.
The Opposition quickly deplored the government’s action yesterday claiming they were reliably informed PIB already made payment for the damages incurred.
They questioned why the government continued to pursue the pay out when PIB already meet the damage expenses.
But PIB yesterday categorically denied making any such payments as claimed by the opposition.
By EDNAL PALMER
