Muaki: PM should address letter to APID, not Bintan
By TEDDY KAFO
A FORMER special secretary to the prime minister has exposed a major dent in the attempt by Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare to clarify the highly controversial letter he wrote to miners, Bintan Mining Ltd.
Mr Sogavare has said of the letter that it is a usual practice by prime ministers to issue a letter of acknowledgement to investors within the country.
But Andrew Muaki, who has held the position of SSPM under various prime ministers, said if this is the intention of Mr Sogavare, he should have addressed his letter to Asia Pacific Investment Development (APID), which holds the mining lease on Rennell.
“It is my understanding that APID is the one that has a mining lease with the government on Rennell,” Mr Muaki said Friday.
“APID then engaged Bintan to mine the bauxite on its behalf,” he added.
“In simple legal terms, the government has no relationship with Bintan and vice-versa.
“The government only has business relationship with APID.
“Hence, official communications regarding bauxite mining should be addressed to APID.
“Given the motivation for the letter was to encourage investors who have obtain mining lease with the government to be good corporate citizens, the letter to Bintan – a company that has no official and legal relationship – a better option, although controversial still, would be to write to APID.”
Many described the clarification the Prime Minister’s Office issued as unconvincing and a cover-up.
Some said Mr Sogavare should visit Rennell and see what APID is doing on the ground than acknowledging a company that is doing damage to the environment.
Meanwhile, people of Renbel Province have strongly condemned the “acknowledgement letter”.
Renbel Facebook users described the letter as an “act of evil by the Democratic Coalition for Change Government and irresponsible leadership style”.
One Rennellese Craven Mu’akitangata pointed out that it’s funny how the PM is counting on such petty gifts as genuine
“I just can’t imagine that this was really the kind of support expected by our national government from a multimillion dollar business dealing with Bintan.
“Wasn’t it infrastructure development for economic benefits instead? Mr Mu’akitangata questioned.
“From the judgment of a reasonable human being, the PM would’ve come to acknowledge that the kind of assistance is not different to feeding people with leftover food from the tables of the rich,” he added.
“What a shallow and truly sickening perception and appreciation and I can’t understand where the PM is driving the people of Rennell to and this is a question that our people need to ask,” he added.
Chairman of West Rennell Landowners Association Sanders Tuhamano also hit out at the letter.
Mr Tuhamano claimed that there is no real development from the mining operations on their island.
“There is zero development from the mining activities.
“The most popular term which the indigenous people use to joke about regarding the mining is ‘mining for noodles’ and this is true,” he said.
Mr Tuhamano claimed that the current mining operations on Rennel is illegal as there are pending court cases.
“It’s a sad reality for the people of Rennell and Bellona Island.
“The acclaimed spin-off from the mining activities is a total joke to us.
“Reality is that there is no tangible development which will help benefit future generation of the island,” the Rennellese chief said.
He also added that the miners are also dicing with the people’s decision by luring them with attractive cash packages.
“The miners give cash to win people’s heart to open-up their land for excavation for bauxite.”
Another Rennellese, Mr Tenoaeha said the money offered are very little compared to the cut the miners would receive when they export the bauxite.
Mr Tenoaeha, who is a teacher by profession, said they have protected their land from the encroaching mining operations for future generations and are dealing with a court case against the miners.
Last month, a government delegation comprising the Minister and Permanent Secretary for Mines and Energy and Rural Electrification, Minister and Permanent Secretary for Land, Housing and Survey plus Environmental, Customs, Forestry and Health officers paid a visit to the mined areas.
A report based on the visit and assessment of the mining operation on Rennell by the government team is expected to be presented to the cabinet for recommendation sometimes soon.
