SI MP Cautions on Logging
Quoting the Solomon Islands newspaper – 21 March 2018
“The Member of Parliament (MP) for Aoke-Langalanga Matthew Wale has cautioned the Ministry of Finance and Tresury (MoFT) on the revenue loss by government in the logging industry.
“Mr Wale stressed that government seem to be doing nothing to stop corruption in the prices of round log exported overseas, which were sold for peanuts compared to its actual price in the world market.
“He said revenues loss by government and landowners in the export of round logs amounted to millions since the actual prices in the world market revealed by the central bank is higher than the prices traded overseas by companies operated in Solomon Islands.
“What is wrong here?” Wale questioned. “Why the prices of round log exported overseas is not the same as the prices revealed by the Central Bank?” he further asked.
“He said the country has suffered a lot to keep the most needed services as health and education to reach the people, but could not afford this because of finances, yet we allow our round logs to be sold at cheap price compared to its real value.
“He urged the Ministry of Finance and other responsible authorities to look into this and make it a priority address it, in order to collect more revenues to meet the many commitments of the government that has been neglected because of no funding.”
Copyright : Solomon Star. (All Rights Reserved)
