Honiara, Solomon Islands — The Leader of the Official Opposition is calling on the Government to urgently clarify serious contradictions between public statements made by the Minister for Lands, Housing and Survey, Hon. Oliver Salopuka, and current company registry records linked to Lever Solomons Limited.
Hon. Salopuka publicly stated that he resigned from company directorships before being sworn in as Minister. However, company records generated on 20 May 2026 still list Mr Oliver Noll Salopuka as a current director of Lever Solomons Limited and Lavukal Investment Company Limited.
These contradictions are serious because Lever Solomons Limited remains connected to ongoing Government court proceedings involving major land matters now before the courts on appeal.
This is not simply a technical or administrative issue. It raises legitimate public concerns about conflicts of interest, transparency, and accountability within one of the most sensitive portfolios in Government.
The Opposition notes Hon. Salopuka’s statement that any decisions relating to RIPEL or related land matters would be handled by Cabinet and not by him personally. That is not a complete answer. Where a Minister has had directorships, share-linked company associations, and a connection to active litigation involving State land powers, the public is entitled to more than assurances. The public is entitled to documentary clarity, formal recusal, and a transparent explanation of who is giving instructions in relation to the ongoing appeal.
The Opposition is also concerned by information suggesting that the Lever Solomons appeal may have been raised during political lobbying and discussions leading to the formation of the present Government. If a pending State appeal over major public land was used, discussed, or traded in the course of political negotiations, that would raise very serious questions about the misuse of public power and the integrity of State litigation.
In light of these contradictions and concerns, the Opposition calls on the Prime Minister to immediately:
1. Confirm whether Hon. Oliver Salopuka has in fact resigned from Lever Solomons Limited, RIPEL, Lavukal Investment Company Limited, or any related entity, and if so, state the exact date of each resignation.
2. Table or publicly release the relevant resignation letters, board resolutions, company notices, and Companies Haus filings said to give effect to those resignations.
3. Explain why the official company extracts generated on 20 May 2026 still record Hon. Salopuka as a director of Lever Solomons Limited and Lavukal Investment Company Limited.
4. Confirm whether Hon. Salopuka has formally recused himself from all Cabinet discussions, ministerial decisions, and official communications concerning Civil Appeal No. 18 of 2026, the pending stay application, and any land dealings involving Lever Solomons Limited or related entities.
5. Confirm that any instructions to the Attorney-General in relation to the Lever Solomons appeal will be given only by non-conflicted decision-makers acting on independent legal advice.
The Opposition also calls on the new Attorney-General to assure the public that any decision affecting the conduct of the appeal or the stay application will be made strictly according to law, formally recorded, and insulated from any Minister whose past or present company roles create either an actual conflict of interest or a clear appearance of conflict.
Public confidence in the rule of law depends not only on actual impartiality, but on visible integrity. Where there is a contradiction between what a Minister says publicly and what the company registry still records, the responsibility lies on the Government to clear the matter immediately.
The Prime Minister cannot remain silent while serious questions hang over a senior Minister responsible for State land matters.
The Official Opposition will continue to press for full disclosure and accountability on this issue in Parliament and in the public interest.
