MNGFR refutes reports of being responsible for the issuance of a prospecting licence to a Chinese company to carry out mineral prospecting in East Malaita
THE Malaita New Government for Fundamental Redirection (MNGFR) has angrily refuted claims it was responsible for initiating the grant of prospecting licence to a Chinese company in East Malaita.
“This claim is baseless, untruthful and is being promoted by the die-hards of former Premier Daniel Suidani’s era,” a provincial government spokesman told Solomon Star this week.
He was responding to an article written by Solomon Star Auki Office, claiming amongst other things, that Premier Fini’s government hijacked the process in granting the prospecting licence to the Chinese company.
“The fact of the matter is that Suidani’s MARA government had granted the licence to the Asian company in the dying days of his administration. The new Fini government simply facilitated the approval on the payment of $250, 000 fee, which is the approved amount for prospecting licence. This was after it took office on 10th February this year,” the spokesman said.
“The processing of the application for the prospecting licence had to be put on hold when Suidani’s ministers walked out ën masse on him in February this year. A vote of no confidence in Suidani as premier and the MARA government ensued and was passed in the Provincial Assembly Chamber on 7th February without Mr Suidani’s presence.
“A new Premier in the name of Martin Fini was elected unopposed on the floor of the Chamber, again without the presence of Suidani, on Friday 10th February. This is the true story of the prospecting licence,” the spokesman said.
“To suggest that the new Malaita government hijacked the process is a lie and should remain so,” he said.
The spokesman cautioned the Auki Office of Solomon Star in its reporting and not to continue heralding the beating of an empty drum, which had been the case until Premier Suidani had been removed from Office.
A spokesman for Solomon Star said yesterday it is taking the matter seriously and would be taking measures to work with Premier Fini and his government in uniting Malaitans for the economic development of the Province and its people.
By Alfred Sasako
