Failure of gov’t officials to immediately release $21million the state owes to CEMA as ordered by PM Sogavare raises the question of who is really in charge in running the affairs of the nation
PRIME MINISTER Manasseh Sogavare has reportedly ordered senior officials of the Ministry of Finance and Treasury and the Prime Minister’s Office to immediately release millions of dollars the government owes the Commodities Exporting Marketing Authority (CEMA) under its revitalisation program.
The order – the second in as many months – has forced others to raise the question as to who is in charge in terms of running the country.
“Who is in charge, in terms of running the country, officials or elected leaders,” they said.
“If it is the Prime Minister, he then needs to wake up to his responsibility. Show these officials the door if they are not doing their work,” insiders told Solomon Star.
Among those who attended the most recent meeting about two weeks ago was the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance & Treasury McKinnie Dentana.
“The Prime Minister was furious. He wanted to know why his initial order for the immediate payment of $21 million to CEMA last July was not carried out. That first order was given before Prime Minister Sogavare went to Saudi Arabia in July,” insiders said.
The money is part of a five-year revitalisation funding programme for CEMA. Under the programme Cabinet agreed to assist CEMA with $77 million over the five-year funding arrangement.
However, the CEMA funding was syphoned off to help meet shortfalls in the Pacific Games budget.
Prime Minister Sogavare reportedly told the meeting that he was disappointed that despite undertaking by Finance & Treasury Minister Harry Kuma for the immediate release of the $21 million, nothing was done.
It was apparent both Ministers had earlier discussed the matter.
According to insiders, Mr Dentana told the meeting that the Ministry of Finance & Treasury had transferred $1 million into the CEMA Account a week earlier. But CEMA has denied having received the payment.
“CEMA is still waiting for this $1 million as well as the $21 million it is owed,” the insider said.
The meeting was also told that the Ministry of Finance & Treasury had collected $49 million in revenue for the month of October. The collection was over and above budget collection estimates for that month.
This was also reported to the Public Accounts Committee [PAC], according to media reports.
“How can this be when Treasury had closed all transactions for the year? It seems Prime Minister Sogavare has been taken for a ride,” the insider said.
“Unless he acts now, his order(s) would be worthless.”
Insiders noted that Treasury has two DFAT advisors along with the Accountant General, a Fiji national.
By Alfred Sasako
