Solomon Islands Opposition Leader Matthew Wale MP, says the Finance Minister’s explanation over the controversial fuel tax exemption has now collapsed under its own contradictions.
Wale pointed out that while the Finance Minister claims the exemption granted to BS Pacific Resources was revoked, the beneficiary has confirmed to the media that it never received any revocation notice.
“The Minister says it was cancelled. The recipient says no revocation was ever served. Both cannot be true and that contradiction exposes the truth,” Wale said.
He said this completely undermines the credibility of the Government’s position.
“You do not revoke millions of dollar tax instrument in silence. If there is no formal revocation notice, then there is no revocation. It’s that simple,” Wale added.
The Opposition Leader said the public is now being asked to accept a claim with no evidence.
“Produce the revocation letter. If it exists, show it. If it doesn’t, stop misleading the country,” he said.
He described the situation as a clear case of damage control after exposure.
“This is not governance. This is a rushed cover up after millions in concession to a politically connected beneficiary was brought to light.”
The Opposition Leader said the issue goes beyond process and strikes at the heart of leadership integrity.
“It was a massive tax concession granted in the middle of a fuel crisis, while ordinary Solomon Islanders continue to pay high prices. And now the Government expects blind trust that it was undone behind closed doors? That is unacceptable,” Wale stated.
He warned that the absence of documentation only deepens public suspicion.
“ This looks exactly like preferential treatment for a political financier followed by a failed attempt to clean up lies,” the Opposition Leader said.
Wale said the actions of the Finance Minister is clearly deceptive.
He said these are not private powers he is exercising.
“Public powers must be exercised with responsibility and transparency. Minister Rex Ramofafia must stop deceiving the people of Solomon Islands.”
However, in a statement on Tuesday, the government said it has officially revoked the tax exemption previously awarded to BS Pacific Resources on fuel import prices.
“This decision was made after careful review and evaluation to ensure alignment with national interests and established policies.
The Minister of Finance and Treasury, Hon. Rexson Ramofafia, acted promptly to revoke the exemption, guided by principles of fairness, transparency, and good governance,” it said.
It added, while the Government retains the prerogative to grant tax exemptions to local companies, such decisions are made following careful case-by-case review and evaluation to ensure alignment with national interests and established policies.
“The government remains committed to managing current fuel price increases. The revocation order, which took effect on April 24, now resolves public concerns raised recently on social media,” the government said.
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