Tongs calls on government to be fair
BY IRWIN ANGIKI
Tongs, a traditional name in the hardware industry in Solomon Islands, has called on the government to “be fair and treat all hardware businesses the same”.
In light of government’s recently exposed $200-million-plus tax exemption spree, Tongs has pushed back labelling this as ‘unfair’ and giving the chosen few ‘an unfair advantage’ over the rest of the hardware businesses.
“Tongs wants a level playing field for all hardware business to compete in,” Tongs statement this week said.
“It is unfair for us when others receive exemptions giving them an unfair advantage over us.
“We’re a local company, we pay duty and tax and you can check with Customs and IRD, we invest in the Solomon Islands, we have social responsibility and support local charities including the hospital, and we don’t pay any politician for favours.
“All we ask is for the government is to be fair and treat all hardware business the same,” Tongs statement said.
Tongs’ pushback follows its statement refuting a Solomon Star report over the weekend claiming it had issues with newcomer BNBM Hardware.
Solomon Star reported that there were “claims a leading hardware in Honiara was dissatisfied with BNBM Hardware and Home Centre for lowering prices on hardware materials and goods to attract customers”.
However, Tongs in its statement refuted this, saying it welcomes BNBM and the competition in the hardware industry.
“Tongs was never in contact with Solomon Star. Out of the blue Solomon Star put an article about Tongs dissatisfied with BNBM. Tongs responded by threatening to sue Solomon Star for false reporting and defamation. Solomon Star publicly apologized to Tongs in today Solomon Star issue. Tongs is still considering to sue the Solomon Star newspaper.
“In the contrary, Tongs welcomes BNBM and competition in the hardware industry. It is good for customers to have choices when they need materials. New Hardware stores have been opening doors in Honiara almost every year. From Henderson to White River is full of Hardware stores. We acknowledge that BNBM will not be the last to open up in Honiara.
“Customers have different reason for buying from different hardware stores. Some customer prefer cheap price above anything else. They don’t care about quality, customer service, etc. The price is good and they buy.
“Others buy from a store because of the quality. Price may be higher, but customer wants his building to stand against cyclone, earthquake, termites, and last longer. Recent Vanuatu earthquake in December 2024, is a reminder of the harshness of the conditions of our region, and the reason why customers buy quality rather than cheap price. The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of cheap price is forgotten.”
Tongs is a local company which has been providing quality building supplies in the country for more than 30 years.
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