THE TRUTH behind the Prime Minister’s Office two contradicting statements issued regarding the court of appeal decision between Axiom KB Ltd and Sumitomo Metal Mining (SMM) Ltd is yet to be known.
Last week PMO issued a supporting statement to the outcome of the court of appeal decision.
But a day later, PMO issued another statement to retract the first statement, deeming it erroneous.
Interestingly the Special Secretary to Prime Minister, Andrew Muaki, and the Press Secretary to Prime Minister, Deli Oso, are telling two different stories.
Both have pointed fingers on each other saying what has been published has tarnished the name and integrity of the office.
It was reported that the first statement was published through advice from SSPM Muaki following the PM’s approval.
But a day later another press statement came out to retract the first statement.
Asked why retract the initial statement, the Press Secretary said it was issued upon approval from the PM.
Deli Oso said the retraction statement was issued following a letter from Axiom KB to the PM pointing out that the statement issued by PMO under the title ‘GOV’T WELCOMES COURT OF APPEAL DECISION ON MAJOR MINING BATTLE’ was incorrect in that it did not reflect the Court of Appeal Judgement on the case and implied that Axiom KB Limited is not a reputable company.
Ms Oso said the Prime Minister was shocked when he received the letter from Axiom KB as he had never instructed for the issuance of a statement to welcome the Appeal Court decision and neither was aware of the issuance of the statement.
Ms Oso said she checked the Government Communication Unit if they issued a statement of that nature and the Director George Herming has confirmed that they did so under the instruction of the Special Secretary to the Prime Minister.
“As a matter of procedure, statements by the Prime Minister are issued through the Prime Minister’s Press Secretariat which I head.
“The retraction statement was issued in acknowledgement of the erroneous and unauthorised statement issued by the Government Communication on the sole advice of the SSPM,” Ms Oso said.
Adding, this was necessary to avoid any legal action against the PM by Axiom KB Limited and also to protect the integrity of the Prime Minister and the Prime Minister’s Office.
Questions to Andrew Muaki have not been answered but referred this paper to Ms Oso.
However, it was reported that Muaki had sought the PM’s approval for the release of the first statement.
Whether or not the PM had approved the statement is the question Muaki did not answer.
But this paper is aware that after Axiom KB sent the letter to PM Sogavare, Muaki was advised to write back.
However, Ms Oso decided to write the retraction statement, which the SSPM was reported to have no say over.
Additionally, it was reported that the PM was not happy about the retraction statement.
The SSPM was reported to have said that the retraction statement did not bring any good to the PM nor the OPMC but only damages the OPMC.
A statement that Press Secretary Ms Oso had defended.
She also described the comments recently made by a senior public officer on the retraction statement, which he said diminishes the status of the Prime Minister and PMO, as idiotic to say the least.
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