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Solomon Islands North Malaita MP wants PM probed

Parliament Member of North Malaita, Jimmy Lusibaea has called for an inquiry into the shipping grant received by the Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare who is also MP of East Choiseul.

In an exclusive interview with the Solomon Star newspaper, Lusibaea who was recently terminated by the Caucus as the Minister of Infrastructure Development (MID) revealed that a total gross of SBD$5 million (over US$642,000) had been allocated to PM under the shipping grant in 2016.

“Under my ministry during that year, I cited that PM Sogavare received $5 million as shipping grant for his constituency under one payment.

“He received the highest amount whilst the other MP’s have to wait and received partial and less amount of the grant ranging from $1.5 million to $2.5 million (US$192,700 - US$321,300),” he said.

“Surprisingly he bought an old ship called MV Elizabeth Ann owned by Chacha Bule Amoi.

“From my knowledge, Chacha bought the ship in the 1980’s with approximately SBD$200,000 (US$25,700),” he added.

“Under Sogavare leadership, the vessel was renamed Nuatabu and he gave it to Lauru Shipping Company for inter-island operations,” he further added.

Lusibaea said the $5 million is unaccounted for seeing that the boat is ageing and devalues.

“Value of ships and vehicles depreciate every year.

“So with the former MV Elizabeth Ann, he could have bought it for a cheaper price tag offered by Chacha.

“And the rest of the millions are what his people and transparency groups should question,” Lusibaea said.

The North Malaita MP wants an inquiry into the PM’s shipping grant allocation.

“So I called for an inquiry to find out how the $5 million is spent,” he said.

Lusibaea is one of the two MP’s terminated two weeks ago by PM in what was claimed as under performance and their lack of implementing DCCG policies within specified time.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare is currently in Australia for a week-long tour and could not be reached for comments.


SOURCE: SOLOMON STAR/PACNEWS

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