Solomon Star News
26 January 2011
PRIME Minister Danny Philip has hit back at the opposition revealing secrets of individuals within the group he described as ‘ring leaders.’
The Prime Minister identified deputy opposition leader Matthew Wale, former fisheries minister Bodo Dettke and former forestry minister Douglas Ete as the ring leaders behind the conspiracy to overthrow the government.
Prime Minister Danny Philip in a press conference earlier this week stated that he had files and information on the three men especially Mr Wale and Mr Dettke involving serious offences.
“I’m sorry to say that I have to do this so that the people in this country know who these people really are,” he said.
MP for Auki/Langalanga
Prime Minister Philip alleged that few years ago the MP for Auki/Langalanga Matthew Wale diverted a large sum of money paid by a shipping agent into his private bank account.
The Prime Minister said in another similar case involving Mr Wale, a certain amount of pharmaceutical products belonging to a private pharmacist ended up in the Solomon Islands government consignment.
“The products were ordered through government consignments to qualify for tax exemptions which were sold at private shops in the country.
“There is files and information on these cases and as a responsible government we will investigate it,” he said.
The prime minister added that it was a pity that the MP for East Honiara Douglas Ete knew very well about this case but yet he decided to join the opposition.
“Mr Ete is the former chief executive officer (CEO) on the National Referral Hospital and he knows about these things but yet he decides to join them.
“If he claims to be a man of principle then I challenge him to tell the truth,” the prime minister said.
He said he was aware the allegations against the MPs were serious but he reiterated that there are files to prove his arguments.
MP for North/West Guadalcanal
Regarding the MP for North West Guadalcanal Bodo Dettke, Prime Minister Danny Philip alleged that between 1996-1997, Mr Bodo was involved in a major airport project for six major airfields to be built around the country.
The Prime Minister said only two airfields were built with all the money exhausted.
The airfields were proposed for Lord Howe (Small Malaita), Ulawa (Makira/Ulawa Province), Lomolomo and Vanikoro (Temotu Province), one in Isabel Province and the other at Tangarare (Guadalcanal Province).
“This case will be pursued and investigated,” the Prime Minister said.
He said Mr Bodo had also owed the Solomon Islands government $12-$15 million outstanding tax liabilities which he never settled until today.
“The people in this country must understand that Mr Bodo’s intention to be in the government was to cease all logging licence belonging to foreigners,” the PM said.
“Mr Bodo revealed this to me that his plan was to reach a stage when all foreign loggers licence will be stripped with only certain companies remaining,” he said.
The Prime Minister said he could not allow such practice to happen because he said it would destroy the industry and government revenue for the country.
“I’m not protecting loggers but if you dig deep down you will find dead men’s bones attached to the real motive behind such decisions,” he said.
The Solomon Star called the opposition office yesterday but they said the three opposition members would respond together in a press conference today.
Mr Ete and Mr Dettke last night told the Solomon Star that more secrets would be revealed today.
“We will respond to these allegations when the time is right and the government must prepare to fasten their seat belts,” they said.
The Prime Minister identified deputy opposition leader Matthew Wale, former fisheries minister Bodo Dettke and former forestry minister Douglas Ete as the ring leaders behind the conspiracy to overthrow the government.
Prime Minister Danny Philip in a press conference earlier this week stated that he had files and information on the three men especially Mr Wale and Mr Dettke involving serious offences.
“I’m sorry to say that I have to do this so that the people in this country know who these people really are,” he said.
MP for Auki/Langalanga
Prime Minister Philip alleged that few years ago the MP for Auki/Langalanga Matthew Wale diverted a large sum of money paid by a shipping agent into his private bank account.
The Prime Minister said in another similar case involving Mr Wale, a certain amount of pharmaceutical products belonging to a private pharmacist ended up in the Solomon Islands government consignment.
“The products were ordered through government consignments to qualify for tax exemptions which were sold at private shops in the country.
“There is files and information on these cases and as a responsible government we will investigate it,” he said.
The prime minister added that it was a pity that the MP for East Honiara Douglas Ete knew very well about this case but yet he decided to join the opposition.
“Mr Ete is the former chief executive officer (CEO) on the National Referral Hospital and he knows about these things but yet he decides to join them.
“If he claims to be a man of principle then I challenge him to tell the truth,” the prime minister said.
He said he was aware the allegations against the MPs were serious but he reiterated that there are files to prove his arguments.
MP for North/West Guadalcanal
Regarding the MP for North West Guadalcanal Bodo Dettke, Prime Minister Danny Philip alleged that between 1996-1997, Mr Bodo was involved in a major airport project for six major airfields to be built around the country.
The Prime Minister said only two airfields were built with all the money exhausted.
The airfields were proposed for Lord Howe (Small Malaita), Ulawa (Makira/Ulawa Province), Lomolomo and Vanikoro (Temotu Province), one in Isabel Province and the other at Tangarare (Guadalcanal Province).
“This case will be pursued and investigated,” the Prime Minister said.
He said Mr Bodo had also owed the Solomon Islands government $12-$15 million outstanding tax liabilities which he never settled until today.
“The people in this country must understand that Mr Bodo’s intention to be in the government was to cease all logging licence belonging to foreigners,” the PM said.
“Mr Bodo revealed this to me that his plan was to reach a stage when all foreign loggers licence will be stripped with only certain companies remaining,” he said.
The Prime Minister said he could not allow such practice to happen because he said it would destroy the industry and government revenue for the country.
“I’m not protecting loggers but if you dig deep down you will find dead men’s bones attached to the real motive behind such decisions,” he said.
The Solomon Star called the opposition office yesterday but they said the three opposition members would respond together in a press conference today.
Mr Ete and Mr Dettke last night told the Solomon Star that more secrets would be revealed today.
“We will respond to these allegations when the time is right and the government must prepare to fasten their seat belts,” they said.
By DOUGLAS MARAU
Bodo's $11m compensation claim
FORMER fisheries minister Bodo Dettke has allegedly lodged his compensation claim worth $11 million for the government to pay him when he was a minister.
This was for claims the government failed its contractual obligation with Mr Dettke’s Success Company.
Success Company won a multi-million dollar government tender back in 1999 to construct six provincial airfields at a total cost of $8.65 million.
However, the construction did not eventuate because of the ethnic crisis.
It is understood that the government in 1999-2000 released $11.8 million to Mr Dettke for the work and the mobilization activity being done.
In 2007, Success Company lodged another $6 million claim as out of court settlement for the government’s failure to honour its contract.
Solomon Star understands the former Sogavare approved the demand and was in the process of paying when the Dr Derek Sikua led government took over power and blocked the payment.
In a press conference yesterday, Finance Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo provided documents that showed that on the 12th January this year, Mr Bodo handed over a file to Mr Lilo and asked Mr Lilo if he could facilitate the compensation under the debt service.
Mr Lilo said he learnt during the start of the ethnic crisis Mr Dettke confronted the then permanent secretary to the ministry of infrastructure and development and asked him to cancel the project so that he (Mr Dettke ) would not be subjected to any liability.
He said despite Mr Dettke cancelling the project himself, Mr Lilo claimed Mr Dettke still pressurise the government to compensate him.
Minister Lilo said the total compensation claimed was more than $10 million dollars.
“Yes, just as the opposition group predicted at the eve of the Prime Minister’s election that Mr Dettke would demand the government to pay him the compensation, it has happened,” Mr Lilo told a press conference yesterday.
Mr Lilo said if the opposition overthrows the current government, there is no doubt that the compensation claim would surface again.
The Solomon Star understands that the case is now before the court.
“If the case is before the court then why pressure us to pay the compensation when court has yet to decide on the issue,” Mr Lilo said.
The Solomon Star spoke to Mr Dettke last night and he said that he would reveal the truth on this issue today.
This was for claims the government failed its contractual obligation with Mr Dettke’s Success Company.
Success Company won a multi-million dollar government tender back in 1999 to construct six provincial airfields at a total cost of $8.65 million.
However, the construction did not eventuate because of the ethnic crisis.
It is understood that the government in 1999-2000 released $11.8 million to Mr Dettke for the work and the mobilization activity being done.
In 2007, Success Company lodged another $6 million claim as out of court settlement for the government’s failure to honour its contract.
Solomon Star understands the former Sogavare approved the demand and was in the process of paying when the Dr Derek Sikua led government took over power and blocked the payment.
In a press conference yesterday, Finance Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo provided documents that showed that on the 12th January this year, Mr Bodo handed over a file to Mr Lilo and asked Mr Lilo if he could facilitate the compensation under the debt service.
Mr Lilo said he learnt during the start of the ethnic crisis Mr Dettke confronted the then permanent secretary to the ministry of infrastructure and development and asked him to cancel the project so that he (Mr Dettke ) would not be subjected to any liability.
He said despite Mr Dettke cancelling the project himself, Mr Lilo claimed Mr Dettke still pressurise the government to compensate him.
Minister Lilo said the total compensation claimed was more than $10 million dollars.
“Yes, just as the opposition group predicted at the eve of the Prime Minister’s election that Mr Dettke would demand the government to pay him the compensation, it has happened,” Mr Lilo told a press conference yesterday.
Mr Lilo said if the opposition overthrows the current government, there is no doubt that the compensation claim would surface again.
The Solomon Star understands that the case is now before the court.
“If the case is before the court then why pressure us to pay the compensation when court has yet to decide on the issue,” Mr Lilo said.
The Solomon Star spoke to Mr Dettke last night and he said that he would reveal the truth on this issue today.
By DOUGLAS MARAU
Lilo: Budget on schedule, ready
HE government’s main concern now is not about the political numbers game but getting work done to put through the budget for 2011.
Despite the political turmoil in the country Finance Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo in a press conference yesterday has assured the nation they are well ahead of schedule in preparing the budget for this year.
He said the government was ahead of schedule as they were now in the process of screening all the bids from each of the ministries.
Mr Lilo said tomorrow and Friday, the bids would be put together for Caucus to look at and Tuesday next week.
He challenged the opposition group to mark his words that on 28 February the document would be handed over the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) so that they would start meet and scrutinise the proposed budget.
“I urge the PAC chairman to start issuing notices to his members to have a quorum. And I want to challenge the deputy leader of opposition Matthew Wale to mark this date down because he was the one claiming that the government was behind schedule,” Mr Lilo said.
Mr Lilo said the budget strategy had already been drafted and it would be the first budget that would have a theme.
He said they were thinking around concepts like quality spending, quality expenditure that goes in line with encouraging economic growth in Solomon Islands.
“I would like to assure the nation that NCRA government does not take things lightly in their focus to rebuild the country.
“The political uproar is all because of personal interests by certain individuals but we are more concerned about the preparation of the budget,” Mr Lilo said.
Mr Lilo said he had prepared four of the country’s budget in the past and Mr Wale’s assumption that it would be a problem for him was baseless.
“It’s not time for political fighting but to move the country forward,” he said.
The finance minister also called on the five ministers who have resigned recently to think wisely and return to the NCRA government and complete what had been started.
“Get back on the boat we have all built and lets finish this journey,” Mr Lilo said.
Despite the political turmoil in the country Finance Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo in a press conference yesterday has assured the nation they are well ahead of schedule in preparing the budget for this year.
He said the government was ahead of schedule as they were now in the process of screening all the bids from each of the ministries.
Mr Lilo said tomorrow and Friday, the bids would be put together for Caucus to look at and Tuesday next week.
He challenged the opposition group to mark his words that on 28 February the document would be handed over the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) so that they would start meet and scrutinise the proposed budget.
“I urge the PAC chairman to start issuing notices to his members to have a quorum. And I want to challenge the deputy leader of opposition Matthew Wale to mark this date down because he was the one claiming that the government was behind schedule,” Mr Lilo said.
Mr Lilo said the budget strategy had already been drafted and it would be the first budget that would have a theme.
He said they were thinking around concepts like quality spending, quality expenditure that goes in line with encouraging economic growth in Solomon Islands.
“I would like to assure the nation that NCRA government does not take things lightly in their focus to rebuild the country.
“The political uproar is all because of personal interests by certain individuals but we are more concerned about the preparation of the budget,” Mr Lilo said.
Mr Lilo said he had prepared four of the country’s budget in the past and Mr Wale’s assumption that it would be a problem for him was baseless.
“It’s not time for political fighting but to move the country forward,” he said.
The finance minister also called on the five ministers who have resigned recently to think wisely and return to the NCRA government and complete what had been started.
“Get back on the boat we have all built and lets finish this journey,” Mr Lilo said.
By DOUGLAS MARAU
PS explains scholarships costs sharing
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of education says the enforcement of costs sharing of scholarship will start this year for students studying within the country.
Speaking to The Solomon Star Mylyn Kuve said that costs sharing of scholarships will begin here starting with government sponsored students at Solomon Islands College of High Education (SICHE).
“Starting this year under government scholarships to study at SICHE will be liable to pay 25 percent of their school fees.
“That will be followed by SIG sponsored students that would be studying at USP center in Honiara and UPNG branch at Kukum campus next year (2012)”, she added.
She also revealed the ministry is waiting for a technical expert to assist them to launch a scheme that will create opportunities for students and their parents to apply for loan to meet the other portion of the scholarship.
“This will be advertised to students and parents to show what cost of the scholarship they would be responsible for whether tuition fee, book allowance or the living allowance of students,” she said.
Mrs Kuve added this tertiary education policy was approved by the previous government since last year and the policy is reflected in the cost sharing of scholarships.
She said for students who studied in institutions abroad under SIG scholarships would be later dealt with as their situation is different from those who studied back home.
“We will not enforce this cost sharing policy with students studying abroad until we see that things are secured for them and their families to meet the other portion of the scholarship”, she said.
She said the reason why the government has to come up with this is because of the excessive demand from the ministry of education to the government every year to meet costs of scholarships.
She said that the ministry always has a supplementary budget to the government so they invent this policy to reduce additional spending and costs incur on the government budget.
Speaking to The Solomon Star Mylyn Kuve said that costs sharing of scholarships will begin here starting with government sponsored students at Solomon Islands College of High Education (SICHE).
“Starting this year under government scholarships to study at SICHE will be liable to pay 25 percent of their school fees.
“That will be followed by SIG sponsored students that would be studying at USP center in Honiara and UPNG branch at Kukum campus next year (2012)”, she added.
She also revealed the ministry is waiting for a technical expert to assist them to launch a scheme that will create opportunities for students and their parents to apply for loan to meet the other portion of the scholarship.
“This will be advertised to students and parents to show what cost of the scholarship they would be responsible for whether tuition fee, book allowance or the living allowance of students,” she said.
Mrs Kuve added this tertiary education policy was approved by the previous government since last year and the policy is reflected in the cost sharing of scholarships.
She said for students who studied in institutions abroad under SIG scholarships would be later dealt with as their situation is different from those who studied back home.
“We will not enforce this cost sharing policy with students studying abroad until we see that things are secured for them and their families to meet the other portion of the scholarship”, she said.
She said the reason why the government has to come up with this is because of the excessive demand from the ministry of education to the government every year to meet costs of scholarships.
She said that the ministry always has a supplementary budget to the government so they invent this policy to reduce additional spending and costs incur on the government budget.
By John Atai
Sir George confident of timely completion
CHAIRMAN of the 11th Pacific Arts Festival 2012 Sir George Lepping is confident all preparation work and infrastructure will be in place before the opening of the festival in Honiara next year.
The festival is scheduled to take place in the first two weeks of July.
This is to coincide with the school holidays so that some of the 2000 participants can be accommodated at some of the school dormitories.
But if preparation falls behind time, the festival date may be rescheduled for September 2012.
Visiting director general of the secretariat of pacific community (SPC) Dr Jimmy Rogers met with the chairman early this week and wanted to see preparation work done three months before the actual opening of the festival.
Sir George yesterday said if there was support from the government and other stakeholders through finance work, everything should be on target.
He said there were infrastructures and facilities that needed to be set up now and they are getting things organised now to liaise with relevant bodies for the various infrastructures and performing venues.
The chairman said although there have been delays due to the election last year and the formation of the new government, he said government had now given its support.
Artistic director Dennis Marita said there was a lot of work to be done and the committee had been working hard behind the scenes to work on a strategic plan.
He said the committee now had a plan in place to work on.
“It’s a matter of coordination and getting things organised on the ground now,” he said.
He said this upcoming festival was a great opportunity for this nation to showcase its own unique culture to other countries.
“We must not miss this great opportunity to host people from other countries,” he said.
The festival will feature 14 activities traditional dramas, drama/theatre, music jam house, indigenous poetry, storytelling, short fictions, oral chants, traditional arts exhibition, contemporary arts exhibition, film festival, stamp exhibition, fashion pageant, canoeing/navigation, children’s art show, photography, traditional games, traditional healing, culinary arts (cooking) and symposium and workshops.
The festival is scheduled to take place in the first two weeks of July.
This is to coincide with the school holidays so that some of the 2000 participants can be accommodated at some of the school dormitories.
But if preparation falls behind time, the festival date may be rescheduled for September 2012.
Visiting director general of the secretariat of pacific community (SPC) Dr Jimmy Rogers met with the chairman early this week and wanted to see preparation work done three months before the actual opening of the festival.
Sir George yesterday said if there was support from the government and other stakeholders through finance work, everything should be on target.
He said there were infrastructures and facilities that needed to be set up now and they are getting things organised now to liaise with relevant bodies for the various infrastructures and performing venues.
The chairman said although there have been delays due to the election last year and the formation of the new government, he said government had now given its support.
Artistic director Dennis Marita said there was a lot of work to be done and the committee had been working hard behind the scenes to work on a strategic plan.
He said the committee now had a plan in place to work on.
“It’s a matter of coordination and getting things organised on the ground now,” he said.
He said this upcoming festival was a great opportunity for this nation to showcase its own unique culture to other countries.
“We must not miss this great opportunity to host people from other countries,” he said.
The festival will feature 14 activities traditional dramas, drama/theatre, music jam house, indigenous poetry, storytelling, short fictions, oral chants, traditional arts exhibition, contemporary arts exhibition, film festival, stamp exhibition, fashion pageant, canoeing/navigation, children’s art show, photography, traditional games, traditional healing, culinary arts (cooking) and symposium and workshops.
It is understood that if Solomon Islands fail to host the festival the two other Melanesian countries Fiji or Papua New Guinea will be alternative hosts.
By MOFFAT MAMU
After all this complains were lounged, did the government at that time do any thing. If not then there is no need of complaining because it was believed by every citizen of this country that corruption was already screwed in and was active in all our politicians, every MPs are the same.
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