by Ronald Toito’ona

Bradley Tovosia, the former mines minister and Prime Minister, Jeremiah Manele have pushed back against claims made earlier this week by Manasseh Sogavare and former Infrastructure Minister Manasseh Maelanga, who resigned from the GNUT government alongside eight others.

Tovosia said the claim by Sogavare and Maelanga that he interfered with the Prime Minister’s decisions is not true.

 “As Deputy Prime Minister, I only acted on instructions given to me by the Prime Minister. Once he gave instructions, I made sure they were carried out.”

Tovosia explained that his role was to support the Prime Minister, offer advice on issues, and help him understand the broader context of arising matters.

 “I don’t know what I did wrong to be accused of interfering in the Prime Minister’s decisions. My responsibility was to support and assist.”

Prime Minister Manele also responded to the interference claims, stating that GNUT operates under established processes.

“We have a government caucus and Cabinet where decisions are discussed and made. It’s not quite true that I’m taking directives from the Deputy Prime Minister. 

“We also have party mechanisms in place,” Manele explained.

Tovosia also addressed issues raised about his role as Minister for Mines, in claims that Mr Sogavare raised against him in the mining sector.

The former Finance Minister revealed that 18 alluvial mining licenses were ready to be released, but the process stalled amid political tensions. 

Behind the scenes, however, he said the real crisis was a lack of control and accountability—describing a system where mineral exports were being flown out of the country with no financial trail.

But Tovosia denied all these.

“In terms of the mining industry, it is operated by a statutory body—the Mines and Minerals Board. 

“That board makes the decisions on licenses and operations, not the minister. So to say I caused the mess—I don’t see that as accurate,” he stated.