A top Honiara lawyer says setting up an inquiry into alleged corrupt dealings associated with the hosting of this month’s Pacific Games in Honiara would only happen if next year’s national elections bring in a new government and prime minister.
Gabriel Suri was sharing his thoughts on local social media forum Yumi Toktok.
Suri stated if Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and his DCGA Government return after next year’s election, public calls for the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry would not be heeded.
“So far, public decry over PG2023 scandals have fallen on deaf ears,” Suri, the main architect of the Pacific Games 2023 Act 2017, stated.
“An inquiry can only be established by the PM, the Minister for PG2023,” he added.
“The snag here is that the Special Secretary and the Attorney General and others in the Prime Minister’s Office are also members of the National Hosting Authority (NHA).
“How would a PM investigate his own advisors unless the PM is a person who truly upholds rule of law and does not practice devious democracy.
“I do hope there will be a change of government after the national general election in 2024.
“I do hope also that there will be a new PM who can listen to the people.
“I hope there will be a political party campaigning on a promise to set up a Commission of Inquiry into PG2023.”
Up to 5000 athletes from the region are expected to converge in town for the four-yearly event, which kicks off on November 19.
Solomon Islands is hosting the Pacific Games for the first time.
The games venues and other facilities were funded by donors. China funded the main stadium.
Numerous allegations of corrupt dealings by games officials emerged in recent weeks, prompting the public to call for an inquiry into how contracts were awarded and funds spent.
Others went further to call for a boycott of the games.
Chief among the allegations was a $6.4 million contract awarded to a barber shop to supply toilet papers for the games.
When the deal was leaked, NHA chair Dr Jimmie Rodgers said it was a mistake and his officials would correct it.
They eventually did by reducing the amount and removing the barber shop.
Another controversy erupted over NHA’s decision to purchase a building for $38 million from Chengs Corporation, a local Chinese hardware dealer. NHA said the building will be set aside for use by the 24 sports federations after the games.
NHA used funds Saudi Arabia donated towards the cost of the games to purchase the building.
Many criticised the decision, saying the deal was never part of the Pacific Games preparation, and that the building was a run-down former accommodation facility that’s not worth the amount.
But Rodgers defended the decision, saying the purchase was made based on a legitimate valuation report, and that the building will become home to the nation’s sports federations.
Meanwhile, Suri said members of the public should continue collecting and compiling relevant information for the day when an enquiry will be set up.