Solomon Islands Civil society leader claims Prime Minister Lilo behind his termination

Mr Henson. Photo Solomon Star/Getty

OUTSPOKEN leader and chairman of the Joint Civil Society Groups (JCSG) Barnabas Henson claims he lost his job this week due to threats from the Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo.

Mr Henson has been very vocal recently against the Prime Minister on behalf of the JCSG on a proposed petition against the Prime Minister.

He worked for a company called Evita Solomons Limited – a firm that involves in prospecting and agricultural trade.

“Yesterday (Tuesday), I was summoned to the office when I was at home. A car was sent to pick me and the chief executive officer of the company said it was urgent,” Mr Henson told the Solomon Star.

“I thought it was something to do with preparations to send a team to Kolombangara.”

He said when he arrived at the office; the Prime Minister’s pal Luma Darcy was having a meeting with the CEO.

“When Luma Darcy left, the CEO told me that they were just talking about me.”

Mr Henson said the general manager of the company Alfred Sasako was also present when the CEO revealed that there were threats from the Prime Minister that the company would not be welcomed in Kolombangara and that planned tax exemption for machines from overseas would not be granted if the company continues to engage him.

Mr Lilo is the MP for Kolombangara.

“The CEO told me that he must protect the interest of the company as a foreign investor therefore I was asked whether to drop my involvement with the JCSG or leave.

“I was made to decide within that short period of time because the tax exemption group’s meeting was scheduled for today (yesterday), so I decided to resign under duress.”

Ask how long he worked with the company, Mr Henson said he was employed only a week ago.

The Solomon Star made a few calls to Luma Darcy last night to comment but he did not answer his mobile phone.

When contacted, General Manager of Evita Solomons Alfred Sasako said the company does not want to involve in political issues.

Asked why the company employed Mr Henson knowing well his involvement with pressure group JCSG, Mr Sasako said he will issue a statement from the CEO.

In the statement, Evita Solomons Limited CEO John Davies said the claim from the former employee was incorrect.

“Company policy does not encourage political involvement,” he said. 

“I therefore repudiate any suggestions that Evita Solomon Ltd has sacked an employee because of instruction from the Office of the Prime Minister. 

“This is misleading. 

“Evita Solomon Ltd is in Solomon Islands as an investor and not (not) to be involved or perceived to be involved in politics,” the statement said. 

The Prime Minister’s office in response to Mr Henson’s claim said the claim was a “total lie”. 

“The Prime Minister at no time ordered Mr Henson’s termination.

“As a matter of fact, the Prime Minister was not even aware of Evita until this issue was raised recently,” the statement said.

It urged Mr Henson to “stop spreading lies and propaganda for his own political interest and personal grudges against the Prime Minister”.

“Mr Henson has demeaned himself by lying to the people by using the name of the Prime Minister.

“And why should the Prime Minister want to waste his time on people like Mr Henson who is not a concern to him or even his Government?” the statement said.

It said the decision by Evita to terminate Mr Henson was their own and yet Mr Henson has wrongfully tarnished the Prime Minister.

“We also received a letter from Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Evita John Davies explaining the reasons behind Mr Henson’s termination.

“The letter by Mr Davies clearly outlined that Mr Henson was terminated because he breached company policy that they would not employ people that are involved in political wrangling against the government of the day as this is not healthy for the company itself and against company policy.”

Mr Henson said whatever ploy by the company with the government to remove him, the company will always protect its interest therefore it was not surprising that the company decided to take sides with the government.

“I stand by what I was told by the CEO, which resulted in my resignation.

“My involvement with JCSG was well before I was employed by the company and they knew well I was an outspoken person for the people against a regime that says something and does the other. It does not make any sense here.”

Mr Henson said he decided to take up people’s cries through a petition and sacrifice his job.

Solomon Star