Appointed Councilor refuse being owner of the private entity
By IAN M.KAUKUI
FOLLOWING weeks of mudslinging between the Honiara City Council (HCC) Clerk, Rence Sore, and sacked Chairman for Finance Councilor Billy Abae, inside sources have revealed the owner of the controversial private entity that is supplying fire extinguishers to the Council.
The sources within the HCC ranks told this paper that John Szetu of Pinnacle Enterprises is being contracted to provide the Fire Extinguishers to the Honiara City Council.
He is also an appointed Councilor in the current HCC administration.
The revelation of the private entity was made despite Mr. Sore’s refusal to reveal the identity of the Private Entity.
However, when contacted to confirm if he is the owner of the private entity, Mr. Szetu denied any understanding of the issue.
“What I understand is that the supplier of the fire extinguishers is someone overseas, and not me as was reported to you,” Szetu said.
He only referred the matter to the City Clerk, as he is the one that is in a better position to name the private dealer.
But Sore was still reluctant to reveal the private entity that HCC contracted.
When the City Clerk was asked why it is so difficult to name the private entity since it is of public interest, Sore said he will still maintain his stand.
“I report to my superiors. Unless I am instructed to reveal the identity of the private entity I will accept the decision to rest the case as instructed to me by my superiors. I just cannot override the decisions of my bosses.
“You can push me but I have limits too,” he added
Sore in his reply to the paper said he will maintain his position not to reveal the name unless it was from the 4Cs or the Mayor himself as he is only answerable to them.
“My position is clear. Unless I am instructed by the 4Cs and City Mayor I will rest my case with the position of the 4Cs to “put the matter to rest.
“I am accountable to the 4Cs and the City Mayor,” he said.
When questioning him regarding the formation of the 4Cs as a body not recognized by the HCC Act, Sore said it’s just similar to the CMCC of the Solomon Islands government.
“It is not responsible for the making of any law but it is a body responsible for Policy Coordination – the making of DCGA Policy Statement,” Sore explained.
Meanwhile, a former Councilor who wants to remain nameless said it is sad to see such issue peeping up out from what many described as newly groomed managed City Council with the leadership of City Mayor Mr. Wilson Mamae and Clerk Sore.
He then questioned the oversight role of the HCC’s legal office over the matter.
“The issue requires the role of the legal office as it was highlighted by Councilor Billy Abae, that the procurement of the Fire Extinguishers was never featured in the Budget Ordinance,” the former councilor said.
He also questioned the Deputy Mayor Charles Aiwosuga who also played the oversight role of the standing committee to explain where is his oversight role since he was the one pushing for the issue to rest.
He also questioned the establishment of the Core Council Coordinating Committee (4Cs) and what it represents as there’s already a legal process to follow.
“The City Clerk may also not do its oversight role since this piece of substance is not included in the budget which the legal instrument of the city,” he said.
He said since the Clerk is implementing what is not included or part of the budget and it contravenes the whole process which means lack of oversight from the legal office, the Deputy City Clerk, and the Deputy Major.
Besides, a long time Honiara resident John Kina said the Clerk should be answerable directly on behalf of the Council rather than blaming the 4Cs.
“The truth is there and should be revealed because this kind of question calls for the integrity of the Clerk’s office.”
Kina said the Clerk should have just come out clear and provide what the public demands and name that Private entity.
