Former SIPA CEO, Colin Yao, is back in the country as tourism consultant seemingly with the backing of powerful individuals with links to the government
COLLIN Yao – who fought in vain to keep his job as Chief Executive Officer of the Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA) a few years ago – is back in town.
Neither his role nor who engages him is clear. There are hints he is being hired by the national government as tourism advisor.
Those close to the epicentre of government activities could only say he is either being hired as Government advisor on tourism development in Solomon Islands or is looking for such a role.
But whether he has signed a formal contract or not is unclear. One thing is clear. It seems Mr Yao has the backing of some powerful individuals with links to the government.
Mr Yao’s being here could be instigated by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism as the nation looks to revive the tourism industry after the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mr Yao wasted no time in getting to work after arriving in Honiara a few weeks ago.
He has been busy giving talks about what he has to offer in the tourism sector. On Tuesday, for example, he made a formal presentation on tourism to Government Caucus.
In between, he has been busy giving talks to other stakeholders. Mr Yao was due to meet others, including officials from the Office of the Prime Minister yesterday.
It is understood he did a peptalk to a delegation from the Malaita Provincial Government at the Kitano Mendana Hotel on Wednesday afternoon. He reportedly told the discussion that he was hired by the Government as tourism advisor.
Mr Yao got into trouble with the SIPA Board after it was discovered he was spending SIPA funds on company business without prior approval by the Board. A stand off ensued, resulting in his dismissal by the Board, then chaired by former Attorney General, Billy Titiulu.
Eranda Kotelawala was subsequently appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer.
By Alfred Sasako
