HONIARA (Pacnews) — The future of the powerful board appointed to revitalize government-owned Solomon Airlines is now in doubt.
Chairman Rick Hou, the governor of the Central Bank of Solomon Islands, said the Investment Corporation of Solomon Islands has taken over his board’s function.
It came after a day of drama and intrigue in which the financial controller appointed by the board, Baoro Koraua, was sacked by ICSI, which overruled the airline board.
Gordon Darcy Lilo, who appointed the airline board and supported it in its standoff with chief executive Ron Sumsum, was demoted from finance to justice portfolio.
The airline’s planes began flying domestic service again after being grounded on Wednesday on Sumsum’s orders.
Hou told the Solomon Star that he was confused.
“We have this feeling since last month, the ICSI board has taken over our functions,” Hou said.
“As far as I know there are two boards operating and that we don’t have any more authority on matters pertaining to the airline,” he said.
He said he’s now powerless to reverse ICSI’s decision to terminate Koraua.
Ministry of Finance sources said Lilo was moved because he refused to sack Hou’s board.
They said Hou’s board is likely to be removed under new Minister of Finance Francis Zama.
The ICSI board sacked Koraua, citing his non-compliance with the CEO on airlines’ safety matters, as basis for its action.
“If they want to dismiss me, dismiss me,” said Hou.
Koraua, who had earlier rebutted an earlier termination by Sumsum, told the Solomon Star he had accepted his sacking.
However, he said he is seeking legal clarification on his termination and will challenge that in court.
“I don’t believe in the reasons given for my sacking and I’m challenging that in court,” he said.