…Plans to sue TSI
THE Director Operation of the Island Link Shipping Services (ILSS) says they are pursuing legal action to sue Transparency Solomon Islands (TSI) following claims that ILSS is a ghost company.
Clive Runimetu said this in an interview yesterday after reports issued by TSI and publicized in this Paper on Friday last week that ILSS is a Ghost Company.
To say that ILSS is a Ghost Company is not only untrue, but also offensive. I denied the assumptions,” Mr Runimetu said.
“It’s a wild statement from TSI,” he said.
Runimetu said his company is prepared to open a court case against TSI for the damage cause to his company.
“To me this is really a defamation damaging our (my) company’s reputation.”
Mr. Runimetu confirmed that his shipping service is recipient of $1,500,000.00 (1.5m) under the Shipping Grant.
“But to say that ILSS is a Ghost Company is false and not true.”
He said that recently he has applied for the shipping grant and was approved that $1.5m.
“For sure I apply for the shipping grant because it’s a shipping grant and for someone who owns a ship I am entitled to apply.”
ILSS owns two ships which is Pacific Ace and Island Link II.
“The way TSI come out and says that Island Link Shipping Company a ghost company is not true.
“Island link shipping service in a registered business name but not incorporate. It’s just a business name registered at the company Haus.
“Though we appreciate TSI to ensuring everything is transparent, yet, it needs to do accurate investigation before putting such information to the public. To put false information for public consumption is absurd and attacking,” he said.
He added that ILSS is not incorporated, thus, it still a business name.
Runimetu said that it should be more proper if TSI go personally to the Company Haus and ask for the company (s) names.
“Because on the company Haus website you cannot find a business name unless it is incorporated.
“And the case of TSI they just check on the website without cross checking the company Haus office (desk) for accurate information.
“Or if they did not find those information wanted then they should have go further and check at the Solomon Islands Maritime Safety Administration (SIMSA),” he said.
“I would also like to clarify here that ILSS as assumed associate with any politician it untrue.
“ILSS never at all associated with any politician.
“Thus, we owe and apology from TSI,” he said.
Meanwhile, he revealed that ILSS retirement of the funding is still prepared to be submitted back to the government
“Our accountant is in the process of retiring that money and reports will be given back to the government as soon as everything is done.
“If TSI is talking about transparency then they must prove their work in a transparent manner as well.”
On Monday Runimetu provided certificates of his company (ILSS) to prove that his shipping business is not a Ghost Company.
The certificates include;
1. The Company Haus Certificate of Registration of Business Name –BN 171 of 2013.
2. Certificate of Solomon Islands Registry (Particulars of Ship) with an official number -952 (2014)
3. Solomon Islands vessel safety certificate (2016)
4. General Radio station-communication licence (2016)
5. Certificate of registry (2016)
6. Honiara City Council Business Licence -2016 BL 0267 (type of business-Shipping services)
By STEPHEN DIISANGO