Police is now investigating the allegedly burning of the FOPA village entry gate at Panatina, East Honiara over the weekend.
A spokesman from the criminal investigation department (CID) at Naha said, the case was reported to them on Sunday after the incident had happened.
“The burning down of the iconic gate at FOPA village at Panatina happened in the early hours of Sunday morning a week after the cave was also burnt down.
“We are currently carrying out our investigation,” the spokesman said.
He added that this is a police case and it needs a full scale of investigation.
“Generally, what we are waiting for is a formal claim for the ownership of the area.”
The officer said, that its unclear the property is owned by Ministry of Culture & Tourism or Solomon Islands National University (SINU).
“According to information, the property was given to Ministry of Culture & Tourism to look after it, just after the eve of Festival of Pacific Arts in 2012,” the officer added.
But Ministry of Culture & Tourism Permanent Secretary John Wasi said, that property belongs to SINU.
“What we are thinking of doing at the moment is to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to rebuild the area for cultural activities but the properties and area must be owned by SINU,” Mr Wasi added.
By LESLEY SANGA
