Police Closely Monitoring Horizon Oil Allegations involving PNG MP, says Manning
THE ROYAL Papua New Guinea Constabulary is closely monitoring developments over claims that Sydney-based energy company Horizon Oil paid US$10.3 million to a shell PNG company over PRL21.
The report by the Australian Financial Review (AFR) last week and subsequent posts/comments in the public domain including Facebook and on the floor of the National Parliament questioned the role of Commerce and Industry Minister William Duma when he was Petroleum Minister in the Somare Government and private lawyer Simon Ketan.
The RPNGC has been closely monitoring allegations made on this issue in public forums and in the National Parliament says Police Commissioner David Manning.
On Wednesday Deputy Opposition leader Dr Allan Marat asked Prime Minister James Marape to direct the Ombudsman Commission and the police to investigate the alleged official corruption, fraud and bribery involved in the issuing of PRL21 by the Department of Petroleum. The opposition also called on Mr Marape to sack Minister Duma.
Prime Minister Marape told parliament that he “will take action” if concrete, substantial evidence of corruption was given to the Ombudsman Commission and Police to start investigations. He said the Ombudsman Commission and Police have every right to look into and establish a file on this matter and ascertain if corruption actually took place.
“After establishment of corruption, the nation has every right to question me on what I will do to with the Minister,” Mr Marape said.
Minister Duma has since responded to the allegations on the floor of Parliament and said he has done nothing wrong. He has taken out a full page advertisement in the newspapers claiming that he did not break any laws and was in fact only acting upon recommendations made by the Petroleum Advisory Board and complying with a Supreme Court Order.
Commissioner Manning said to assist police advance any investigation it would be “really helpful” if an official complaint was laid with police.
“Consistent with the Prime Minister’s sentiments and in light of the response made by Mr Duma, it would help a great deal if an official complaint was laid with police,” Mr Manning said.
Police Media
Next :
The report by the Australian Financial Review (AFR) last week and subsequent posts/comments in the public domain including Facebook and on the floor of the National Parliament questioned the role of Commerce and Industry Minister William Duma when he was Petroleum Minister in the Somare Government and private lawyer Simon Ketan.
The RPNGC has been closely monitoring allegations made on this issue in public forums and in the National Parliament says Police Commissioner David Manning.
On Wednesday Deputy Opposition leader Dr Allan Marat asked Prime Minister James Marape to direct the Ombudsman Commission and the police to investigate the alleged official corruption, fraud and bribery involved in the issuing of PRL21 by the Department of Petroleum. The opposition also called on Mr Marape to sack Minister Duma.
Prime Minister Marape told parliament that he “will take action” if concrete, substantial evidence of corruption was given to the Ombudsman Commission and Police to start investigations. He said the Ombudsman Commission and Police have every right to look into and establish a file on this matter and ascertain if corruption actually took place.
“After establishment of corruption, the nation has every right to question me on what I will do to with the Minister,” Mr Marape said.
Minister Duma has since responded to the allegations on the floor of Parliament and said he has done nothing wrong. He has taken out a full page advertisement in the newspapers claiming that he did not break any laws and was in fact only acting upon recommendations made by the Petroleum Advisory Board and complying with a Supreme Court Order.
Commissioner Manning said to assist police advance any investigation it would be “really helpful” if an official complaint was laid with police.
“Consistent with the Prime Minister’s sentiments and in light of the response made by Mr Duma, it would help a great deal if an official complaint was laid with police,” Mr Manning said.
Police Media
Next :
Post a Comment