WALE SLAMS RESPONSE; PROBES MINISTER’S PRIVATE TRIP ON MINING COMPANY BOAT

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THE Leader of Opposition Hon Matthew Wale has slammed the response by the Ministry of Mines & Energy describing it as a mockery and lame attempt to defend the actions of the minister.

Hon Wale said in light of the concerns raised, just on Monday night this week, eye witnesses have testified to seeing the Minister disembarking from a boat owned by Far East Resources Company Ltd at Kokonut Café, after returning from a private trip to Kopiu village in his Constituency.

The mining company’s boat was driven by the Minister’s own brother.

“How can this be so? Isn’t this a clear case of conflict of interest and isn’t this the same story that we have heard before?” Hon Wale questioned.

He said this recent incident only confirms the concerns raised by the San Jorge landowners.

“If the Minister can travel in a boat owned by the mining company, how can they trust him to uphold the law and be neutral in dealing with the company’s pending application? What if, this is just one of the many favours the mines minister is getting from the company?” Hon Wale questioned.

The Opposition Leader said in any democratic country upholding the principles of transparency, accountability and good governance, this is conflict of interest at the highest level.

Hon Wale adds the response by the Mines Ministry in the media today in trying to defend the Mines Minister is ‘shameful’.

 “The response by the ministry deviates from the core concern raised by the landowners of San Jorge and it is shameful when we are trying to mislead the people when the red flags are clearly evident,” he said.

Hon Wale said for far too long successive government’s have recklessly handled the mining sector in this country.

The opposition Leader said the government’s failure to address the long standing issue in bauxite mining in Renbel is just one of many examples of the Government’s gross mismanagement and incompetence in the mining sector.

ENDS//