BY LORETTA B MANELE
John Kapentana, one of the directors of Levers Solomons Limited (LSL) and Russell Islands Plantation Estate Limited (RIPEL) is calling on an investor and those involved attempting to commercialise copra in Russell Islands to put a stop to it.
Speaking to the paper earlier this week, he said from reports they received, they understand that there is an investor who wants to buy copra in Russell Islands and involved are some members of Russell Islands provincial assembly.
Kapentana said no consultation was carried out with directors of the company hence they call on the investor and whoever is in the same boat to stop doing whatever they are trying to do on the grounds of buying copra over there.
He voiced that as a Director, he has to protect the company’s interest and there is a process they have to follow when it comes to things like this.
“Whoever wants to come and do investment in LSL’s property, has to come forward and discuss with company directors.
“Decision is always made by the company directors,” he said.
Kapentana highlighted that this issue should have been discussed with company directors so they can talk about it and come up with an outcome, however at the moment, this is not the case.
The Director explained that at the moment, the arrangement when it comes to buying copra in Russell Islands is that the indigenous people and those who had worked for the company are allowed to sell copra not commercially but as means to help sustain themselves.
He mentioned that this was what was decided back then when the company had ceased to operate.
“The company had some flexibility and gave some way for indigenous people and people who worked for the company to sell copra to help sustain themselves while the issue went on but not for the purpose of commercializing any copra there,” he said.
Kapentana reiterated that instead of following a proper process what the investor and others are doing is bypassing a process they should follow.
“They just bypassed this process.
“I call upon them to stop what they are trying to do and follow a proper process which is for them to come forward and talk with us,” he said.
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