OPPOSITION: INVESTIGATE 33 SHIPMENTS, RECOVER THE PEOPLE’S MONEY 

Honiara, Solomon Islands – The Leader of the Official Opposition, Manasseh Damukana Sogavare MP, says reports of missing, incomplete and unaccounted-for records relating to the 33 West Rennell bauxite shipments are deeply concerning and must be investigated thoroughly, independently and transparently.

Sogavare said the public deserves clear answers about missing export and consignment permits, customs records, assay reports, Central Bank authorities, payment records and official correspondence. However, he said the Government must provide an accurate chronology and must not allow the inquiry to distract from the central issue: recovery of royalties allegedly owed to the people of Solomon Islands.

“Finding out what happened to the records is important, but that cannot become the end of the exercise. The Government has already gone to Court, claiming more than SBD$8.6 million. The public is entitled to know what is being done to recover that money.”

Sogavare said the matter spans successive administrations, including his own tenure as Prime Minister, and that accountability must follow the evidence, regardless of who was in office.

“If investigators require information from members of my former Government or me, we will cooperate. Nobody should be shielded from scrutiny.”

GOVERNMENT MUST GET THE TIMELINE RIGHT

The Opposition Leader said the Government’s public update requires clarification because it refers to exports and records from 2019 to 2021, including permits said to relate to shipments in 2019 and 2020.

The Government’s own Statement of Claim in Civil Case No. 210 of 2025 identifies the 33 allegedly unpaid shipments as occurring between 28 November 2017 and 22 January 2019. It records 31 shipments in 2017 and 2018, followed by two shipments in January 2019. It does not identify any of the 33 disputed shipments as occurring in 2020 or 2021.

Hon. Sogavare said the difference may be explained if the Government is referring to records created, retained, sought, reconciled or missing during 2019 to 2021 rather than the dates of the shipments themselves.

“Government must get the timeline right. If 2019 to 2021 relates to records, payments or enforcement rather than the actual shipments, say so clearly. The public should not be left to reconcile different timelines between what Government says publicly and what it has pleaded before the Court.”

THE COURT CASE MUST BE PURSUED

Sogavare said Civil Case No. 210 of 2025 is founded on Government records and must be pursued firmly. The Government’s claim identifies the 33 shipments, dates, vessels and tonnages, and quantifies the royalties alleged to be due at SBD$8,645,856.16, together with interest and further recovery relief.

He said the existence of missing or incomplete records in some agencies cannot become an excuse to delay or weaken the Government’s own claim. The Court process is where the parties’ evidence can be tested fairly and transparently.

“Government has put a figure before the Court. If APID disputes it, let the evidence be tested there. Missing Government files should not become a reason for the recovery effort to lose momentum.”

THE INVESTIGATION DOES NOT START WITH A BLANK PAGE

The Opposition Leader said the missing-records issue must also be considered against findings already made by the High Court.

In Asia Pacific Investment Limited v Minister for Mines and Minerals, Civil Case No. 302 of 2021, decided on 1 April 2025, the High Court dismissed APID’s appeal against cancellation of its mining lease.

The Court found that APID, as the holder of Mining Lease ML 01/2014 and a party to the Mining Agreement, remained responsible for compliance with the lease, the agreement, and the law. It also rejected APID’s attempt to attribute responsibility to Bintan Mining SI Limited, holding that BMSI was neither the holder of the mining lease nor a party to the Mining Agreement.

The judgment also records that the Mines Board had identified breaches concerning payment for previous bauxite shipments and that APID had failed to meet its obligations to the Government, the Province, and others who may have been entitled to royalties.

“These findings matter. The investigation should build on what has already been established through the Court process, not send the issue back to square one.”

On 27 January 2026, the High Court also restored APID to the Companies Register so the Government’s recovery proceedings could continue.

Sogavare said the inquiry should complement the civil action by tracing records, identifying assets, clarifying official decisions and determining whether further disciplinary, regulatory or criminal action is warranted.

“The investigation and the Court case have different purposes, but they should work towards the same public interest: establishing the facts, accountability where warranted, and recovery of money lawfully due to the State.”

PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF THE PROCESS

The Opposition Leader reiterated that Attorney-General Gabriel Suri should formally recuse himself from APID-specific investigative, advisory, litigation, enforcement and recovery decisions.

Sogavare said this is necessary to protect public confidence in the process. The Court record in Civil Case No. 302 of 2021 identifies Mr Suri as counsel for APID in its unsuccessful appeal against cancellation of the mining lease.

The record in Civil Case No. 210 of 2025 also identifies Mr Suri as amicus curiae in proceedings concerning APID’s restoration to the Companies Register. The Court records that the amicus opposed restoration.

Sogavare said conflict-free legal officers or independent external counsel should take carriage of APID-related work on behalf of the State.

“This is not an allegation of wrongdoing against the Attorney-General. It is about removing any reasonable question over the independence of the process. The cleanest course is for conflict-free legal officers or independent counsel to handle APID-specific matters.”

Sogavare said the final investigation must establish what happened to the records, whether failures occurred, who was responsible and what further action is required.

“The same standard must apply to everyone, regardless of which Government was in office. Follow the evidence and hold anyone responsible to account. At the same time, Government must pursue the High Court case and recover every dollar that is lawfully owed to the people of Solomon Islands.”

SOURCE// OPPOSITION PRESS RELEASE