FAMOUS face book group Forum Solomon Islands International (FSII) yesterday paid a reconciliatory reparation to the Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo.
Reports reaching the Solomon Star said the FSII executive met with the Prime Minister and gave Mr Lilo a shell money.
A source said the shell money was paid after a thread posted by a member who claimed the Prime Minister made some bragging text messages to him, which attracted disrespectful, demeaning and culturally sensitive comments from members.
When contacted to confirm the matter, FSII CEO Benjamin Afuga said members and the public must understand that the payment was not compensation.
“It was to amend a broken relationship FSII has with the PM over the extra marital affairs issue and the recent thread on FSII which attracted various insensitive comments,” Mr Afuga said.
He said their meeting yesterday was at the invitation of the Prime Minister.
“When we had that chance to meet the Prime Minister, our two patrons thought it was culturally right to give the Prime Minister a shell money to pave way for a better working relationship especially during this time of disaster.
“We have had the extra marital affairs issue and recently the thread therefore the presentation of the shell money was a symbol of apologizing over what happened and now it’s time to forget the past and work together for the betterment of this country.”
Asked if that in any way will affect the legal case filed by the Prime Minister against FSII, the CEO said they did not talk about the legal case.
“It is a legal issue and we dont want to ask for outside settlement. It’s a matter for the courts to decide.
When put to him that members and the public will perceived the invitation by the PM and the acceptance by the FSII executive, as a form of taming the outspoken face book group, Mr Afuga said FSII is pushing to have some of its plans for the disaster relief work and other national issues materialized.
“FSII has its vision and objectives and whatever discussed is done at arm length. Our paramount concern is on the victims so are the silent majority we often represent.
“It was an official meeting attended by the Secretary to Cabinet and Deputy Chair of NDMO and Prime Minister’s Office Chief of Staff.”
By EDNAL PALMER
