PRIME Minister Sir Michael Somare has given directions that the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the Department of Finance resumes within seven days.
The on again, off again inquiry had been delayed due to lack of funding, and change of inquiry staff.
The new team announced last month has not convened a hearing, and there have been concerns that allegations of mismanagement and stealing at the Finance Department may never be brought before the inquiry.
The Prime Minister, concerned by the delay, has decided to intervene, and has also given instruction that that a preliminary report about the commission’s findings be presented to him by next month.
Prime Minister’s press secretary Betha Somare confirmed that the Prime Minister gave the directions last Friday
Sources said the Prime Minister was concerned about allegations raised by National Planning Minister Paul Tiensten of a “10% syndicate” within Vulupindi Haus and also another “probe into the Department of Finance Housing Scheme”.
A source said that the issue was that the commission had been sitting on the inquiry and yet were being paid hefty fees without any inquiry reports.
“They have been paid so much money over the past three years and had failed to come up with a report; not even a single draft report,” the source said.
The source said the commission blame on the Chief Secretary (Isaac Lupari) about the delay was not true.
“The staff of the CoI had engaged a security company to provide security for them and also established a stationery company to supply stationery to the CoI.”
The source said K5 million was paid out initially and the CoI had asked for an additional K3 million and K2 million for operational cost, which would add to K10 million.
“There is no report and not even a single preliminary draft.”
The source said the directive from the Prime Minister was in order because the issue of payments of hefty fees was too much.
Former secretary to CoI into the Finance Department Ambrose Vakinap clarified yesterday that 75% of the CoI costs was for the establishment of the office and the rest was for remuneration of staff, as determined by the Prime Minister.
He said at the time of the first CoI, the commissioner was receiving K6,000 a day, counsel K3,000, accountant and secretary K1,600 a day, investigators K1,000 a day and clerical staff K100 a day.
Mr Vakinap claimed the delay was caused by the Chief Secretary, who was holding up K3.5 million released by Finance Department for the CoI to resume.