The Leader of the Official Opposition Manasseh Sogavare has issued a statement today calling on the Government to urgently clarify what it describes as “serious contradictions” surrounding the Minister for Lands, Housing and Survey.
According to the Opposition, Minister Salopuka has publicly stated that he resigned from all company directorships before being sworn into Cabinet.
However, company extracts generated on 20 May 2026 still list Oliver Noll Salopuka as a current director of Lever Solomons Limited (LSL) and Lavukal Investment Company Limited.
The opposition argues this is significant because LSL remains connected to active government court proceedings involving major land matters currently on appeal—specifically Civil Appeal No. 18 of 2026.
“This is not simply a technical or administrative issue,” the statement reads. “It raises legitimate public concerns about conflicts of interest, transparency, and accountability within one of the most sensitive portfolios in government.”
The Opposition further raised concerns that the Lever Solomons appeal may have been discussed during political negotiations leading to the formation of the present Government, warning that if true, this would represent a serious misuse of public power.
In response, Lands and Survey Minister Oliver Salopuka confirms that he formally ceased to be a director of both LSL and RIPEL effective 17 May 2026 — before assuming his ministerial duties.
“I wish to make it clear that I am no longer a director of Lever Solomons Limited or RIPEL,” the minister said.
He attributed the discrepancy to an administrative delay, explaining that the company’s legal representatives have met with the Registrar of Companies and are awaiting submission of the company resolution minutes to finalize the record update.
“Any delay in the Companies Haus records being updated is purely administrative and does not reflect my current status,” he added.
The Opposition has made five specific calls on the Prime Minister:
- Confirm whether Salopuka has resigned from all related entities and state the exact date of each resignation.
- Table or publicly release all relevant resignation letters, board resolutions, and Company Haus filings.
- Explain why official extracts from 20 May 2026 still record Salopuka as a director.
- Confirm whether the Minister has formally recused himself from all Cabinet decisions concerning the appeal.
- Confirm that instructions to the Attorney-General on the matter will be given only by non-conflicted decision-makers.
The Opposition has also called on the new Attorney-General to ensure all decisions affecting the appeal are made strictly according to law and insulated from any conflicted Minister.
