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77 SABL LICENSES REVOKED

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill says his government is serious in implementing recommendations made from the Commission of Inquiry.

His comments come after cabinet acted on the recommendations of the Special Agriculture Business Lease inquiry, cancelling more than 70 of the licenses.

It also comes at a time when his Commission of Inquiry into the Paraka saga almost got him arrested.

After spending 15 million kina to conduct the SABL inquiry, only 2 of the three commissioners were able to produce reports, although they did not conform to the normal practice of COI’s.

Nevertheless, cabinet acted on the recommendations yesterday and announced the cancellation of 77 SABL licences throughout the country.

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill told the nation that his government was serious about implementing recommendations made from such inquiries.

This also led him into announcing that cabinet yesterday endorsed another inquiry he proposed on Tuesday: to look into the Paraka matter that got him implicated for authorizing the payment of millions of kina to the law firm.

He said the establishment of this Commission of Inquiry is to rebuild institutions he claims have been politicised and compromised by the Paraka saga.

The inquiry will be open for the public to give evidence and an overseas judge will take charge of it.