CONCERNED Gold Ridge Landowners expressed disappointment over the silence approach taken by the Central Guadalcanal MP and the other seven Guadalcanal Members of Parliament over the Gold Ridge issue.
They said the issue has been an ongoing one and their expectation was for their MP to use his political will in relation to the proposed sale and takeover by the government.
“Peter Shanel’s long silence does not speak well of him as our political representative. His silence raises more questions than answers,” the group said.
Mr Shanel was the former Chairman of the landowners Council and one of the signatory to the agreements to develop the Gold Ridge mine project.
The Landowners said he should be in a better position to defend the rights and interests of all landowners.
“Over the weekend, The Solomon Star reported that the Prime Minister was in Brisbane to discuss with St. Barbara the sale of the gold ridge mine, whilst Island Sun reported that the government is considering options to take over the project from St. Barbara.”
The concern landowners’ group said the move by the PM and NCRA is suspicious but predictable therefore their MP and other Guadalcanal MPs “must intervene on our behalf”.
“We suspect that the move for take-over was a mere tactical move to accommodate the PM’s choice.
“It has to be done that way because St. Barbara won’t sell the project to any dubious miner, but the government can and will do that,” they said.
They warned of landowners’ total involvement if their MPs and other Guadalcanal Landowners ignore their plea.
Peter Shanel could not be reached for comments.
– FSII News
