OPPOSITION LASHED OUT AT GOV’T OVER MBIKE TRIP EXPENSES

The Parliamentary Opposition Group has hit out at the Government over a Cabinet decision to pay out more than $3.7 million to M.V Sun Express as compensation.

The Leader of Opposition Jeremiah Manele today says, the media revelation last week is shocking and warrants an explanation from the Prime Minister and his Cabinet as to why taxpayers have to foot this bill.

It was reported, the Government pays $3.7 million as compensation to MV Sun Express following the alleged shootout which incurred damages to the boat which carried about 17 MPs to Mbike on the eve of the Prime Minister’s election last December.

But Mr Manele objected the payment saying such costs should be covered by insurance or the MPs own pockets and not from public funds.

The Parliamentary Opposition views this as corruption as it involves nepotism because the Cabinet decision is understood to have been pushed forward by a senior Cabinet Minister within the DCC Government who has close family ties with the owner of the boat.

The Leader of Opposition said if this payout was for compensation for damages to the boat; then it should not be met by the Government because it was not a sanctioned trip as the Government was never constitutionally formed during that trip.

Honorable Manele adds the government decision does not reflect well on its desire for change as it continues to throw money left, right and centre.

SIBC News could not get a response from the cabinet when this bulletin went to air.