Dear Editor – If you are already a victim or if you are thinking of tendering for one of them then I suggest you be very careful and make a wise decision as only the highest bidders will be accepted.
As preached and baptized with the establishment of the lock-up shops, a fair and equal distribution of Lock-Up shops to groups and individuals is the focus to raising Solomon Islanders standard of living.
Thumbs up to the principle and the transparency in the tendering of these Lock-Up shops.
It is sad to learn that this principle is now the opposite due to corrupt leaders who are currently manipulating and controlling the tendering process of the shops.
This is how I became a victim by giving out $15,000 of my hard earned cash to one of the con Lock-Up shops tender board members.
Before the tendering of the current Lock-Up shops which is two years ago, one of the tender board committee members approached me and promised to offer me one of the Lock-up shops.
He contacted me occasionally and collected a total of $15,000 from me.
I filled out one of the tender forms and contacted him as advised.
Almost one month into operation of the successful applicants, I contacted him as to why I was not offered one as he promised and he replied saying that he was sick and admitted to Central Hospital (No. 9) during the week the screening was done.
I know straight away that he lied to me.
He promised me one this round which I am doubtfully looking forward to as my $15,000 does not qualify me according to my research.
I will deal with this conman personally if he lied to me again this round.
Findings also revealed that the same people are operating these shops for almost five or six consecutive terms.
This is totally unfair for some of us who are always unsuccessful.
These same people apart from close relatives or friends offered huge money to the two captains of MV Honiara City Council whom they thought have the final say.
They will then share it with their crew members or vice-versa. This is very true and they cannot deny this as one of the Lock-Up shop owners who has gone through this process revealed this to me.
In addition before the tendering process or before the ship sails tickets are already sold or given out by the responsible corrupt authorities to close relatives and friends and advance bookings are already made by stakeholders.
If you are not part of the above then I suggest you don’t waste your time and money to these corrupt people in tendering or bidding for one.
Keep your little money with you and concentrate on other means for survival for your family.
These same people who are always hungry for riches and those wanting to become rich overnight will leave their riches behind and one day will go to hell naked.
To conclude, I hereby call upon responsible innocent authorities within HCC to make sure a fair and transparent process is conducted in the tendering out of the Lock-up shops this time around and in the future.
Otherwise, screen the two captains of this green boat and deal with them accordingly like the captains of the blue boats.
David Baita
Lock-Up Shop Victim
