PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare is reportedly under pressure as the planned intervention into Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA) saga faces political contrast.
Major companies, Soltuna and GPPOL including Solrice and other big businesses have called for immediate government intervention on the SIPA ongoing reforms which is irking businesses and people.
Insiders revealed the private business sector is calling on Mr Sogavare to act swiftly and remove the controversial SIPA CEO, Colin Yow or face threats of major investors like closing down.
The insiders said Mr Yow was supposed to make an overview presentation on the reforms to the government caucus last week.
Press Secretary to Prime Minister, Deli Oso when contacted said the SIPA saga certainly requires government intervention.
“PM Sogavare has promised to step in, to have Mr Yow to explain what is going on,” Mrs Oso said.
But she dismissed claims the PM will terminate SIPA CEO Mr Yow.
Sources claimed the Prime Minister is well aware any decision to take against Mr Yow will not be that easy as it might jolt the government.
“Mr. Yow has the support of a good number of Government MPs and the Prime Minister knows that any action taken against him will have an impact on his led government.
“But this will be the ultimate test whether the Prime Minister will take action for the sake of the people of the country or do nothing because of fear of political instability within DCC Government,” said the sources.
The sources added many right minded MPs in the Government are also urging the Prime Minister to take drastic measures to fix the hiccup.
The opposition group has recently urged the Prime Minister to take appropriate action and deal with the Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA) saga immediately.
“The Opposition Group shares the same view as citizens of this country that the current SIPA reform is nothing but a major ‘flaw’ which is costing the Solomon Islands economy dearly.”
“Any reforms at SIPA should target the core business activity of SIPA – which is wharves and ports services, and not importation of rice and venturing into airline business.
As such, the Opposition Group condemned the reforms and called on the Prime Minister and the responsible minister to act now.
By Bradford Theonomi
