Solomon Islands Minister Jamie Vokia and (former) Chief of Staff Mack Faddean Aoraunisaka, right, pictured with SI Group Chairman Phan Nhat Minh and CEO Le Thi Huy Binh. Photo: Hand-out
A senior Solomon Islands government staffer who was sacked by Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele earlier this month is back - this time representing the very company whose dealings got him fired in the first place.
On 3 July, RNZ Pacific reported that Manele dismissed his chief of staff, Mack Faddean Aoraunisaka, after he had arranged a deal between Vietnamese firms concerning a shrimp farming project.
The deal between the consulting firms SI Group and Growmax, and Commerce Minister Jaimie Vokia, was signed without Manele's knowledge. It would allow the establishment of a Special Economic Zone (SEZ), which would give SI Group and its client Growmax (a fisheries company), special commercial privileges.
The three parties signed the controversial memorandum of understanding, granting the two firms tax exemptions and various other privileges within the Solomon Islands.
When Manele found out, he moved Vokia to a new ministerial portfolio and fired Aoraunisaka, while the Foreign Investment Division (FID) barred SI Group from the country.
The FID said that "[SI Group's] presence in the Solomon Islands carrying out commercial activity without foreign investment approval or company incorporation violates the laws of this country."
However, Solomon Business Magazine reported that SI Group and Growmax met with Fisheries Minister Bradley Tovosia on 15 July.
The meeting was reportedly followed by consultations with officials from the Ministry's Aquaculture Division.
In a statement, Aoraunisaka, as the "local authorised representative for SI Group JSC", decried negative attention toward his new employers.
"It is unfortunate the manner in which SI has been treated," he said.
"People must realise that such treatment not only damages the business reputation of a credible international company but also undermines Solomon Islands' status as a welcoming and business-friendly destination for foreign investment.
"Local representatives of SI [Group] are currently working closely with the Foreign Investment Division to rectify the situation and ensure that the process is resolved amicably and efficiently."
The statement included a quote from Tovosia in support of the two firms, but the Prime Minister's office could not confirm its veracity.
SI Group was the sponsor of a concert on 12 July starring dancehall reggae artist Busy Signal, which Aoraunisaka called a "success".
The show was set up to raise funds for the Kadere Party, of which Minister Vokia is the leader.
Immediately afterward, in a news conference with a SI Group senior director by his side, party executive member Martin Housanau defended SI Group's presence in the country
"The event that is happening now is a non-commissioned activity, and under the laws it doesn't benefit [the SI Group] in any way...from convening [the event]."
Aoraunisaka told Solomons Business Magazine that the over 50,000 people came to the concert, showing that SI Group has popular support.
"Unfortunately, there remains a loud but tiny group of individuals-mostly hiding behind fake profiles and bitter narratives on social media-who continue to spew negativity against anything and everything good."
"We need positive vibration to move forward. Bad vibe is bad. Good vibe is what the soul, the land, and the nation wants. This is a positive vibration construct. And SI Group JSC is a vessel of that positivity."
RNZ Pacific has contacted the Ministry of Fisheries for comment.
