THE Minister of Infrastructure Development Hon Jimmy Lusibaea MP has tightened his grip on repeat applicants for the controversial shipping grants in an effort by the DCC Government to clean-up the scheme.

Documents obtained by Island Sun show a number of individuals who benefited from the grants last year also put in applications this year.

Three of these applications have been knocked back, the Ministry of Infrastructure Development which administers the scheme, confirmed to Island Sun yesterday.

They are Island Way Aluminium & Metal Works, a company owned by a Mr Jonathan Zama, Tripple Jnr Enterprises owned by a Mr John Lamani Beui and another company owned by the interim President of the Kadere Party, Vincent Anisi.

Island Way Aluminium & Metal Works received $4.5 million last year. Tripple Jnr Enterprises got $1.5 million while Mr Anisi’s company received $3 million in 2016, the documents show.

The trio again applied this year but their combined applications valued at $13 million were rejected, the Ministry has confirmed.

“Why should the same people keep benefitting from the scheme at the expense of the rest of the population? As long as the DCC Government remains in power and I remain the Minister of Infrastructure Development, I won’t allow that,” Hon Lusibaea said yesterday.

Island Way Aluminium & Metal Works applied for $5 million this year, the documents show. But the application has been turned down, the Ministry of Infrastructure Development confirmed yesterday.

“Mr Zama received $4.5 million last year. Why should he get another $5 million this year?,” the Minister said.

Island Way Aluminium & Metal Works was planning to buy a fast craft this year to transport tourists, according to the documents obtained by Island Sun.

Proprietor Jonathan Zama last year boasted to friends that he had one of the Ministers on the Shipping Grants Committee under control because of a pending election-related case, according to the document.

Mr Zama also told friends that he was applying this year under a different business name.

He applied for $5 million this year, while Tripple Jnr Enterprises put in for $4 million. Mr Anisi’s company also put in for $4 million. All were rejected.