War of words Lilo takes on Wong again

ENVIRONMENT minister Gordon Darcy Lilo and Russell Islands Plantation Estates Limited (RIPEL) chairman Patrick Wong are at each other again.

Mr Lilo claimed Mr Wong had, on two occasions, tried to set him up.“Mr Wong sent his two associates Brian and Don to arrange a meeting with me,” Mr Lilo said.“The recent one was in May when I was acting finance minister. The two men came and said Mr Wong wants to talk to me. When I ask them what is this about, they replied: RIPEL issue. At that instant, I told them to go away,” Mr Lilo said.He said he cannot discuss the RIPEL issue with Mr Wong because this was not a personal issue. Mr Lilo said nothing was offered to him but he questioned the motive behind such approaches.“I believe Mr Wong tried to set me up to discredit my reputation,” he said.But Mr Wong has described Mr Lilo’s version of events as a lie. “There is only one solution to this argument,” Mr Wong said.“It is to allow the police to fully investigate this alleged corruption of $3 million Mr Lilo demanded from my men.“This investigation must be uninterrupted, unfretted, and not influenced or pressured in any way whatsoever.“With Mr Lilo’s own self confession and admission on SIBC two nights ago, that the minister referred to was him, a proper investigation must take its course.”Mr Wong called on Mr Lilo to step down to allow for a proper investigation.“If he refuses, the prime minister must take action. Otherwise as day follows night, Mr Lilo can never assure the nation that he will not interfere with this investigation,” Mr Wong said.He added Mr Lilo’s conversation with Brian and Don was recorded on a CD.“SIBC and other local radio stations should play the CD. That would give Solomon Islanders the opportunity to listen and decide for themselves,” Mr Wong said.He added a copy of the CD is now with police.“I hope the police will bring the truth out with their investigation,” he said.

SOURCE: SOLOMON STAR