RENBEL premier Colin Singamoana has accused Asia Pacific Investment Development Limited (APID) of colluding with the province’s non-executive group to oust him.
He claimed this was confirmed recently with non-executive members coming out with wild allegations accusing him and his executive.
“The group, led by the former Renbel premier Lence Tango, is attempting to topple my government,” Mr Singamoana said.
“To confirm the collusion, the Renbel Provincial Government Press had intercepted correspondence between APID and the non-executive group,” he added.
“The correspondence revealed former premier Tango seeking financial backing from APID to facilitate their meeting.
“Tango sends the request to Fred Tang, who is the General Manager of Bintan Mining Company (BMC). BMC is the company contracted by APID to carry out its mining operation in west Rennell.
“APID appears to use the Renbel’s non-executive to destabilize the government from within.
“Earlier, the non-executive group raised over 10 allegations against me and my government,” he said.
Premier Singamoana had denied these allegations and called on the non-executive bench to prove their allegations.
He claimed the move was part of efforts to de-register west Rennell which was registered by APID.
APID is currently operating its bauxite and logging operation in west Rennell amidst controversies.
Premier Singamoana said the support his government offers to the West Rennell Landowners’ Taskforce that was formed to deal with issues over west Rennell lands is something his executive endorsed.
“Naturally, it’s the right thing to do- to protect my people and province,” Premier Singamoana said.
He said his government treats every investor equal but when APID claimed to be the superior investor, that’s when his government treatment toward APID decline.
“The non-executive attack on the government was suspicious given the timing, until correspondences between one of APID’s head and a senior member of the non-executive group surfaced.
“The question of whether the non-executive group acted genuinely or influenced by APID is now on the card following the discovery of correspondence between the two parties,” Mr Singamoana said.
A spokesman for APID has denied the allegation, describing it as a figment of imagination.
