The
Editor
Solomon
Star
Honiara
5
August 2012
Dear
Sir,
RE: Martin
Housanau and MMF attacks on MP for Small Malaita Constituency
Many
people in my constituency and others have asked and wondered about my silence
amidst the continous media attack by Mr Martin Housanau and Leaders of MMF in
recent weeks.
To
assure those that have not enquired, I see this saga in four parts: i) the demand
for the PM to sack the Minister of Finance & Treasury is a political
statement; ii) the purported infringement of certain laws, regulations and
procedures by the Minister is a technical and administrative matter; iii) the
call for an investigation of the Minister and PS of Ministry of Finance, is a
legal matter; and iv) this whole saga is mere political propaganda.
On
the first, the PM has already responded, so the Minister need not say anything.
As to the second, these are technical and administrative matters which all the relevant
technical people who administer our laws, regulations and procedures have provided
explanations; there is nothing for the Minister to add. As regards the third, the
ball is in MMF’s court to ensure a full investigation is carried out, which the
courts are open; why wait for a commission of enquiry? And on the fourth, nobody – least of all the MMF
leadership – will gain anything out of political point-scoring: so why waist
precious time and effort on it? We have work to do.
Finally,
lest you be overtaken by their media “ hoo hah”, be reminded that what makes
the loudest noise is usually empty within.
I
thank my constituents and many friends for their steadfastness.
Hon
Rick N Hou MP
Minister
of Finance & Treasury and
Member
of Parliament for Small Malaita Constituency
.................................................................................................................................
The
Editor
Solomon
Star
Honiara
5
August 2012
Dear
Sir,
RE: Rural
Livelihood payments details obtained
Your
column on Friday 3 August carried an article by one Mr. Alfred Sasako under the
above headline. The writer appeared to be advancing the allegation that MPs are
involved in a scheme to obtain cash reimbursement of cheque payments in respect
of Livelihood funds through a certain company in Honiara. His specific mention
of a large cheque payment in respect of Small Malaita Constituency would
suggest that Hon Rick Hou may be involved in this cash scheme.
Mr.
Sasako would be pleased to know that our cheque payment was made to Advanced
Technologies Ltd, not the company he named in his article, and that the payment
was in respect of solar light units – the second tranche of the Small Malaita
Constituency Household Solar Lighting Project. He would also be pleased to know
that we have received the whole consignment and delivery to households began last
week.
Let
me assure my people of Small Malaita that your MP would never be involved in
such disgraceful activities as propagated by the media. Be assured also that we are on track with the
Household Lighting Project as approved by the Development Committee.
Distribution to all communities will continue in the next two weeks.
Hon
Rick Hou MP
Member
of Parliament for Small Malaita Constituency
