Tutuvatu Forum

Anna · Joined: 17 Dec 2007 Posts: 93

This news item has been on the media for some time now. Soga has a point and there seem to be no straight talking from Lilo or the minister of education or the PM on this matter. This is a good case for Fono to put into practise principles of good governance, otherwise his govt will be accused of harbouring corrupt MPs.

OPPOSITION leader Manasseh Sogavare said he’s re-submitting a file of evidence on the failed $4.9 million school computer project to the Leadership Code Commission. He said he wants the matter investigated.
Taiwan provided the funding for the project last October. The computers are for 18 secondary schools with forms 6 and 7.

But Antech Computer, which was given the contract to supply the computers has yet to deliver the 200 computers expected under the project. Records so far only showed one laptop being given to Su’u National Secondary School in Malaita.

This is despite claims by Antech general manager Lapule Haro that they’ve been supplying the schools since early this year.

Mr Sogavare yesterday urged the Ministry of Education to provide an explanation on the project. He said Taiwan and the people of Solomon Islands need to be told the truth why Antech failed to deliver the supply.

Mr Sogavare said his office expects the Leadership Code Commission to investigate the matter without fear or favour.

Meanwhile, Mr Sogavare has described as “laughable” a letter to the editor by the general manager of Antech Computer Lapule Haro.

Mr Haro accused Mr Sogavare and his project officer George Vari of giving incorrect information to the media.

“This project was an initiative of my former government.

“My office has the background information and documentation on the project.

“We’ve also confirmed with the schools that they have not received any computer except Su’u Secondary which received only a laptop,” Mr Sogavare said.

He said his revelation of how the project was awarded to Antech despite the company employing his children showed he is a true leader with a heart for the welfare of this nation.
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God loves us all

sv · Joined: 06 Nov 2007 Posts: 195 Location: japan

The current coalition govt need not sweat over this allegation. All it needs to do is to allow the Leadership code commission to investigate this discrepancy without inteference.
This computer project was facilitated by the previous govt of Soga of which the current PM was the minister of education during that time I guess. However, it seems most or all of the matters involved perpetuated from the ministry of finance.
Therefore the Sikua govt should just allow the leadership code commission to investigate and hopefully identify the perpetrators. If Soga has already submitted the files for investigation then the current govt should not say anything since it is currently under investigation to avoid inteferences.....
Let them do the investigations first.

Eddie · Joined: 13 Feb 2008 Posts: 129 Location: Kiwi

You are quite right sv.

While i appeciate the effort and intention of the concern project, however, to me it reveals a classical example of how political money is used and controlled directly by the PM's office esp. coming from Taiwan. There could be more of this nature and the outliers fall into wrong places/people.

Had the rightful ministry initiate this project, the outcome i believe would be different.

No worry, staka long Taiwan.

Boss · Joined: 08 Nov 2007 Posts: 92

Anna,

The revelation that Antech employs Sogavare's children could mean another thing. That is, Sogavare's children were not treated well/or have not been in good terms with Anthony & Group thus getting their father to fight their battle for them.

Or is this a denominational row? All actors and complainants are members of the same denomination so a possibilityof intra-denominational row, etc..? SI politics is so complex that these are possibilities that trigger the current 'wantok bisnis' allegations

On the other hand, it is possible that there is wantok connections at play in this shaddy deal. The owner of Antech grew up in Kolombangara/Gizo where Hon. Lilo is also the MP (and higly possibly a family friend!).

I agree that this is a serious matter that must be investigated fully. If what Sogavare said is true, then Lilo and the owner of Antech must face the music.

Nogut 1 laptop hemi $4.? million nao long ples Antech orderem computer long hem?!!!

Boss
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The ear of the leader must ring with the voices of the people (Woodrow Wilson)

jon · Joined: 07 Nov 2007 Posts: 42 Location: Highlands

It is important that national project as such are handled in a more transparent manner and hence, it is prudent on the part of the opposition group to shed some lights on the issues especially when it involves public money.

I am however astounded by the magnitude of coverage of the issue by Sogavare when there is no new substance to the allegeation other than what was first released. I am hoping that it is send to leadership code commission or even the police for investigation and that is all to it. Let the law deal with it and when new evidence and substances to the matter surface, then the public should be duly informed and the law to deal with the culprit(s). It would appear however, that the issue fringes more on personal vendetta than the issue at hand and personally, it sets to dilute the essences of the issue.

On the hind side

Chala · Joined: 07 Nov 2007 Posts: 144 Location: Fiji

wantoks,
Interesting to note that Mr Sogavare is so bothered by the failed $4.9m. Is he feeling guilty or what. It seems that Antech computers already had the $$$ in their account so it was their responsibility to deliver. I guess it was also Mr Sogavare who had signed them in as tender winner for the project while he was PM for reasons perhaps he needs to explain(not to mention his family is involved with Antech). Unless if the MEHRD or Ministry of finance had got it out of Antechs account(which is less likely) and have anything to do with how the money was spent other than for computers, I think Mr Sogavare is responsible for the failure of Antech delivering the computers in this context considering that he was the leader(PM) who signed it. In stead of criticizing Dr Sikua's leadership, he(Soga) should be explaining why give it to Antech and not any other computer companies and how come Antech are not delivering the goods. I'm sure the computers would be of great benefit to the schools.
I think it is very important that whoever or whatever company is involved with handling such huge amounts of money is credible and trustworthy before putting money into their account. Cos once its in their account its within their bounds. If Antech computers had failed, Mr Sogavare should be feeling guilty and responsible for his mistake in choosing the wrong company whether he likes it or not and stop making too much noise.
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One's Life is a journey in a world where one's destiny is influenced by one's surroundings

AK47 · Joined: 08 Nov 2007 Posts: 233

Good try Sogavare. Mismanaging of funds doesn't meant that country is ready to hand the government back to an old crook like you! the country had enough of him and his petty politics.
Any missing funds or projects must be investigated according to the laws of our country, but to use such to get back into power is a dead game. I think the Leadership code office should also investigate Sogavare's $2.5 million mansion and also investigate Taiwanese part in this matter. If Taiwan did a favor for Sogavare, it means they breached their diplomatic regulations and corruption charges should be laid against the players.
Investigation must also be carried out as to the $10 million dollars that Sogavare used to created extra public offices when he was in power and money that he spent to lure two OP members to his camp weeks before he was toppled by a MNC. Where did Sogavare get this $10 million to create more offices (sogavare created more public offices than anyone when he was in power: each ministry had two MPs and two PSs).
I don't believe that our country's budget has some extra cash this much for Sogavare to use. Unless he had his hands in the wrong pocket.
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For of all sad words of tongue or pen,
The saddest are these:
It might have been.
............
John Greenleaf Whittier

dakivolo · Joined: 06 Nov 2007 Posts: 89

There are competent authorities within our system that can deal with issues of corruption and misappropriation of funds. The issue concerned is a criminal offence, which should be referred to the proper authorities for investigation. As far as I am concerned, this is a matter pertaining to a specific company and individuals, thus the company and individuals concerned should be held accountable for any misappropriation of funds. It is interesting though to note that Sogavare decided to bring this issue to light just now, as he is in the process of moving a vote of no confidence against the current government. Maybe he thinks that this will put more weighting on the MNC that he and Waipora had orchestrated.

On another note, I am still pondering on the question 'why' such a huge amount of money should be paid in lump sum to a company, without the job being delivered. My experience of projects involving large sums of money is that it has to go through a tender process and the payment should only be made if the job is done and done properly. Payments for huge projects such as the one in question should be done in phases, as each stage of the project is being completed.

tkorax

I remember competing in another tender last year in which we were adviced that we have have been selected and endorsed by PM's office.

All of a sudden there was a major reshuffle, the Key project officer was moved, a new minister took on ministry and later found out that another company involving MP's child was awarded contract.

During the tender proposal, there were some stinky hints which we never give in to.

This computer project confirms my fear about how corrupt Project Management within govt can be and this has to be stopped.

My suggestion is that a totally independent private firm is given the task of managing this types of projects. A firm that will be free of biasness and does not involve MP's. I would like to see the likes of Banks taking on this function.

I hope justice can prevail in this failed computer project.

Eddie · Joined: 13 Feb 2008 Posts: 129 Location: Kiwi

tkorax, what you've indicated could unveil another secret/hidden mission. Is this during Soga's tenure? If so, then his endorsement lacks any credibility and trustworthiness.

Please uncover some more details mate.

Anna · Joined: 17 Dec 2007 Posts: 93

the $4.9m computer deal was purpotedly done when Soga was overseas and Lilo was acting. I guess there was no public tender. Lilo later involved in another $5 million deal for Red Devil to clean up Gizo town (Tsunami clean up). These two deals (the ones that came out so far in the media) must have strained relations between soga and Lilo to the point of removing Lilo from the Finance portfolio to another ministry.

Before the Tsunami deal came out in the public, Lilo jumped boat and join the opposition then, with Fono, using the Moti issue to oust Soga. In other words, Lilo found a convenient way to hide. Attempts by Soga to highlight these discripencies then were overshadowed by the moti issue.

Are the laws we have strong enough to draw people out from their hiding? After the case of Dau, I am confident our prosecutors should not have problems with cases like this.
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God loves us all

sv · Joined: 06 Nov 2007 Posts: 195 Location: japan

tkorax, are you one of those partners who own the JAP computer services?
If so then please allow your computer firm to be investigated for the mis-use of funds supposed to be paid out to those who lost their properties during the ethnic tension. these funds were loaned from the Exim bank of Taiwan during the first reign of Soga as PM of solomon islands.
It is now high time that all past projects done during Soga's reigns as PM must be thoroughly investigated. These projects should also include those during his first reign as PM back in 2000.

sv · Joined: 06 Nov 2007 Posts: 195 Location: japan

tkorax, are you one of those partners who own the JAP computer services?
If so then please allow your computer firm to be investigated for the mis-use of funds supposed to be paid out to those who lost their properties during the ethnic tension. these funds were loaned from the Exim bank of Taiwan during the first reign of Soga as PM of solomon islands.
It is now high time that all past projects done during Soga's reigns as PM must be thoroughly investigated. These projects should also include those during his first reign as PM back in 2000.

pinmiz · Joined: 24 Dec 2007 Posts: 75 Location: Honiara

Wantoks,

The 5M is again a clear testimony of how currption is rampant in our country. If one happen to see the Auditor General's Report on the insights into Corruption in Solomon Islands Government you will see for youself why the country end up in a mess. There is too many opportunities and incentives for corruption to happen. And unitil the country have good leaders who are willing to remove these opportunities and stand up against selft interest it will be a long agonizing road for our country.

tkorax

SV,
Dont jump the gun. No i am not a partner in the JAP Business. I am a partner in a Consulting and Training Business based in Australia with Branch in SI. The tender was Training and Mentoring related.

Eddie, i cannot reveal more as there is no concrete evidence with me because apart from our proposals, we never received the formal offer even though we were verbally adviced and endorsed by the PS.

My point of raising this is to highlight the fact that 'Project Management' withi the public service needs to be Independent, free of biasness and be full of integrity. It has so many loopholes in them.

Personally, i rather deal with Private sectors and statutory bodies and secure contracts with absolute fairness.

Thanks........Eddie ...you no study hard too much !!!

Tony