FOREST MINISTRY CLARIFIES OPPOSITION CONCERNS ON PM’S RENTAL AGREEMENT

The Ministry of Forestry & Research has clarified the Opposition Leader’s statement concerning their rental agreement relating to the Prime Minister.

The statement said the facts surrounding the arrangement must be placed in their proper context.

The tenancy agreement commenced in November last year, at a time when the Matthew Wale was still in Opposition and had not yet assumed the office of Prime Minister.

It is therefore misleading to portray the agreement as a rental arrangement entered into by the Prime Minister in his capacity as Prime Minister.

The Ministry of Forestry has clarified that the selection of the premises was driven by an urgent need for office space, including an office for additional project staff, as well as the availability of suitable premises close to the Ministry’s headquarters.

The Ministry has also confirmed that the rental rate was subject to the established process involving the accountable officer and the landlord, with compliance by the Government Housing Division and the terms of the Tenancy Agreement forming part of the process.

Importantly, this matter is not new. It was raised before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), where the circumstances surrounding the agreement were thoroughly explained.

The PAC was informed that the agreement was entered into before Mr Wale became Prime Minister and that the tenancy arrangement is scheduled for review in October this year.

The Ministry has already provided the Tenancy Agreement, the relevant company extract, its occupancy schedules, including the rented premises currently accommodating around 15 staff, as well as available financial records.

The Ministry has acknowledged that some additional supporting documents could not be supplied within the initial timeframe because of difficulties in accessing the records.

It has committed to continuing efforts to source and provide the remaining documentation.

SOURCE /// : GCU PRESS RELEASE