The Agriculture Research Centre at Dodo Creek at Foxwood was sold in 2021 for $3m, parliament was told this morning.
Minister of Lands and Housing Polycarp Paea confirmed to Parliament during the Committee of the Supply of the 2025 Budget.
When he was further pressed by those in the Opposition & Independent benches to name those who bought it, Paea revealed that it was sold to Solomon Agriculture and Livestock Development Company, however, he could not give details about the owners.
Paea who only took over as the minister of lands in May this year stated that the sell went through a tender process and the Lands Board made the decision and sold it for around $3m in 2021.
However, the amount sold for the 16 hectors was not pleasing to those in the Opposition and Independent benches.
Leader of Opposition, Matthew Wale said it was a gross undervalue and they “robbed us.”
MP for Central Honiara Gordon Darcy Lilo said given the size of the land and that it was only sold for just $3m was not good.
“I feel sorry for the country,” Lilo said that in the context of the money in comparison to the size of the land.
“We should not sale the place, we should keep it,” he added.
“We need to hold people account for. We can’t just give our assets like that,” added the MP for Central Honiara.
Minister of Finance Manasseh Sogavare said he was just as concerned as those who raised the issue.
Sogavare recalled: “As president of the cabinet in 2021 (as PM of Solomon Islands) when this thing happened— the way things happened is that the Lands Board is ranked higher than the cabinet.”
He recalled that they also made decisions on some other issues on land and when directives were sent to the Board, the decision came back from them stating that the Cabinet had no right to make any directives to the board as they were independent.
Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Franklyn Wasi who was responsible for the research centre when asked about the sale said he also asked the same question on why it was sold?
He said: “I just came into office in May and I am asking the same question as well why was the crown land sold like that?” He added that answer could be with the former (ministers of lands) and those in those in lands and titles.
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