Basil calls on Prime Minister Peter O'Neill to provide updates on probes since 2007
Mr Basil issued the same to the National Government including constitutional and public office holders.
He said an updated report on these various investigations will show where the government stands in relation to its promises on good governance, transparency and corruption.
“The State spends so much funds on instituting various investigations and inquiries, when confronted with public outburst on scrutiny by Parliament.
“We respond with expensive and lengthy hearings to appease those that want answers, yet allow the passage of time for evidence to be tainted or destroyed and further let the report to collect dust.”
Mr Basil said five years have lapsed when the Commission of Inquiry (COI) into Department of Finance was completed.
“People who were implicated took a restraining order to stop its publication but we understand the then Attorney-General, Kerenga Kua advised that the matter has been cleared so we must ask when the report will be tabled and action taken.
“We must confront these issues and bring out all the skeletons from the closet so that we bring back integrity, transparency, accountability and good governance to government institutions.”
The Pangu Pati leader said this will also restore the honour and integrity of our processes and systems and role of Members and the Parliament.
“I am glad that the Prime Minister has given his word in Parliament during Question Time on 8th February 2013, to Questions by Dr Allan Marat in relation to the Commissions of Inquiry and in particular to the Investment Corporation of PNG (ICPNG) and the Investment Corporation Fund of PNG (ICFPNG).
“Further, in relation to my Supplementary Question on what the Prime Minister would do in relation to ministers and others implicated, holding public office, he responded that any minister, CEO, departmental head or public servants implicated will be referred to appropriate authorities accordingly.”
Mr Basil added that the COI into National Provident Fund (now Nasfund), Finance Department, ICPNG and ICFPNG , the sinking of Rabaul Queen, SABL, legal fees and other government sanctioned reports from 2002 to 2014 should be seriously reviewed.
He said the implementation team comprising National Fraud & Anti-Corruption Squad , Department of Justice and Attorney-General and Department of Prime Minister & National Executive Council and Department of Personnel Management should implement the Reports.
“The Recommendations of COI – ICPNG was completed in March 2007 and clearly called for RPNGC (Police) investigation and recovery of fees paid to real estate firms and persons and also for Securities Commission to revoke appointment of Trustee and Manager.”
Two years have passed and Mr Basil is asking the PM O’Neill as per his response in parliament in February 2013 to commence with implementing the various COI Reports and its Recommendations including Reports of Public Accounts Committee, Ombudsman Commission and the Auditor-General.
“As a responsible Opposition, we are now assessing all COI, OC (Ombudsman Commission), PAC (Public Accounts Committee), AGO and Special Investigations instituted by NEC decisions to ensure all recommendations are given some weight and appropriate actions taken to rectify defects in law, procedures and processes and for prosecution of persons under the Leadership Code and Criminal Code.”
Mr Basil added that there is a need for progress report and updates on the referrals and recommendations as to what independent and constitutional office holders are doing such as public prosecutor, public solicitor, solicitor general, police commissioner, Public Service Commission and others.
“We talk about merit-based appointment process for departmental and heads of government agencies and boards, yet how are some persons implicated allowed to be shortlisted and cleared by the Central Agencies Coordinating Committee and Public Service Commission for appointments to departments, agencies and boards.”
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