MADAM Emmy Sogavare is saddened that In-Depth Solomon did not contact her to tell their family’s side of the story.
The Sogavares have just suffered a devastating loss and rebuilt their property after it was burnt down during the November 2021 riot.
It was a traumatic experience which very nearly cost them their lives and the family have lost a lot of good memories in their old home.
It appears that In-Depth Solomon has no regard whatsoever for these past events. They have instead chose this time close to election to release this story to provoke the public to repeat the event of November 2021 to their properties again. This is culturally insensitive.
That said, Madam Emmy Sogavare explained that their properties were acquired through loans from commercial banks. “We have a business relationship with the banks just like any other customers and we repay our loans on time. Our properties are rented out to earn income which goes towards loan repayments,” she stated.
The Sogavare’ use their properties as collateral to secure loans. Madam Sogavare pointed out that all these properties are owned by the banks, until their loan repayments are paid in full then the family will own the properties. In the event, they default in loan repayments, Bred Bank will foreclose and take back these properties.
“We are taking a huge risk,” Madam Sogavare explained.
The houses are technically owned by the banks, and like any other parents, the Sogavares encouraged their children to do well in their education so that they can work in the future to continue to shoulder the loan repayments.
She further expressed her disappointment and sadness that In- depth Solomons never tried to reach out to her, so that she could tell her side of the story.
“It would have done justice to the news article, if my side of the story is being told. I am available every day and In- depth Solomons should have taken the courtesy and decency to call me,” Madam Sogavare stated.
This shows how low investigative journalism in Solomon Islands by journalists who hold themselves as veteran or seasoned journalist can go without practicing by their ethics.
It’s pitiful and very shameful to see that this article portrays how our local journalists don’t think for themselves but are pulled by foreigners who splash funding in front of their eyes to do their foreign bidding and agenda.
Madam Emmy Sogavare became aware of the attempts to pry into her family’s bank loans when the banks called her to inform her that certain characters were trying to get information about the Sogavares’ bank loans.
“We have nothing to hide, the banks assisted us because we have a good reputation in meeting our loan repayment obligations,” Madam Emmy Sogavare concluded.
Currently, the care- taker Prime Minister is in East Choiseul campaigning, he will return to Honiara well after the voting and counting processes are done.
Sogavares’ Private Press Release
