BY BEN BILUA
Gizo
CHIEFS of Lelegia and Talise villages in Isabel Province have thrown their support behind Opposition Leader Matthew Wale’s call for the government to seize and halt all mining licences across the country.
Speaking on behalf of the chiefs, Talise Village representative Paul Fota described Wale’s call as genuine, citing the uncontrolled mining activities within the Thousand Ships Bay area.
He said mining operations have destroyed large parts of the once beautiful and resource-rich environment in the Bugotu region.
Fota said the damage done is enormous, and rehabilitation efforts will not be able to fully address the impact.
“We are with Matthew Wale. Our country is yet to pass the Mineral Resource Bill, and we are still relying on an outdated mining act.
“There is also a lack of compliance because our ministries are weak and there is little government support for proper checks and balances on mining sites,” he said.
Fota further alleged that some mining companies are infiltrating rural communities and bribing people to gain access to land and resources.
“Negotiations are happening behind closed doors in villages and this must stop because it puts innocent lives at risk,” he said.
Fota added that poverty is driving people to agree to mining deals.
“There are no proper income-generating opportunities in rural areas. When money is offered, desperate landowners sign. Sadly, it is the people who suffer in the end,” he said.
During a recent Public Accounts Committee hearing, Wale called for an immediate moratorium on all mining activities until a full review and amendment of existing mining laws is completed.
He urged the government to stop issuing new licences and temporarily close existing operations to allow a thorough review of how the mining sector is managed in the best interest of the country.
Wale warned that without strong action, Solomon Islands could face a crisis worse than what has been experienced in the logging sector, where resource owners lose while investors walk away with huge profits.
For feebback, contact: [email protected]
