Gordon Darcy Lilo denies allegations in the Rennell bauxite mining controversy, calls for evidence.
A former Prime Minister and Member of Parliament for Central Honiara, Gordon Darcy Lilo, has vigorously defended himself against allegations regarding the bauxite mining situation on Rennell Island in the Rennell/Bellona Province.
Lilo’s response follows claims made by the Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele during a recent parliamentary session.
Last Thursday, Prime Minister Manele alleged that controversies surrounding bauxite mining on Rennell originated during the Lilo-Maelanga administration. The Minister of Mines echoed this, stating he would provide further details on alleged mismanagement.
In a rebuttal, Lilo challenged both leaders (Prime Minister and Mines Minister) to provide evidence supporting their claims.
“I urge you to provide any proof against me or my deputy at the time,” Lilo said.
He expressed concern that the Prime Minister might be acting on inaccurate advice and cautioned against making unsubstantiated claims that could implicate members of the current administration.
“The Prime Minister must demonstrate that either I or my deputy, Manasseh Maelanga, pressured the mining board. He will find no such evidence,” Lilo stated.
Lilo clarified that the mining board, an independent authority, regulates mining matters, and its decisions are not influenced by any specific government or parliamentary term.
On the issue of export duties, Lilo said that during his tenure, his administration rejected the idea of removing export duties on bauxite.
“We concluded that zeroing the export duty was unfeasible. In fact, we recommended a rate of 20%, similar to the 25% applied to round log exports. However, the subsequent government, which took office after 2014, chose to zero it out,” he said.
He also accused the current government of favoritism toward mining companies, citing a letter from the Prime Minister at the time that expressed support for APID and Bintang. This letter, Lilo noted, had been made public through the media.
Lilo further highlighted reports of senior government officials renting properties to Bintang, questioning the nature of the current government’s relationship with the companies involved in the mining controversy.
“Certain senior government officials, who hold constitutional positions, are renting their properties to Bintang. This connection raises serious questions about the current government’s ties to the very entities involved in the mining controversy,” he said.
Lilo concluded by recalling allegations from the government that succeeded his, referencing CCTV footage that reportedly showed the then Minister of Mines receiving envelopes from mining representatives at the HP Hotel car park.
He called for a transparent and evidence-based approach to addressing the allegations.
