MALAITA Ma’asina Forum (MMF) is urging DCC’s newly appointed Rence Sore and Dr Philip Tagini to reveal beneficiaries of the Gold Ridge $18 million royalty fraud of.
MMF’s general secretary Charles Ashley said both men served under the previous government and were at the centre of the issue.
“Mr Sore served at the Ministry of Mines as Permanent Secretary while Dr Philip Tagini was the Special Secretary to Prime Minister who led the task force as chairman assigned to investigate the fraud issue.
“The findings of the task force were released under Gordon Darcy Lilo’s leadership who promised that those involved will be dealt with accordingly.
“But no information of who benefited from the 18 million was revealed.”
Mr Ashley urged the two new political appointees to reveal details of the findings and those purported in the scandal.
“They must reveal who the beneficiaries were.
“If they do not know anything about it, what is their responsibility there then? Both individuals know it; tell the new government who the beneficiaries were.
“Those beneficiaries must give back what belongs to the people of Gold Ridge.”
The general secretary said the money rightly belongs to the landowners of Gold Ridge and was already due to them.
“Why keep on hiding it the truth.
“Both men knew those who benefitted illegally from the royalty money because it is impossible for the money to disappear in thin air.”
Mr Ashley said it would be fair if landowners of Gold Ridge are given their rightful entitlement for their resources.
“Resource owners must never be reaped off in such a fraudulent manner.
“This is the same as the beche-de-mer case which the rightful owners of Lord Howe never received anything from the sales.
“The Democratic Coalition for Change Government (DCC) stands for change; therefore it should bring these issues out to light for people to see.
“Government officers should be reflective of this change and assist relevant authorities settle this case.”
By BRADFORD THEONOMI
