Opposition challenges PM over inquiry

THE Opposition has expressed concern over the National Government setting up costly inquiries and not acting on the findings and recommendations of such probes.
Opposition leader Sir Mekere Morauta challenged Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare to be firm and allow the announced Department of Finance probe to be carried out independently and upon completion, fully implement the recommendations.
Sir Mekere also challenged Sir Michael to accept responsibility over the “on again, off again” probe into the Department of Finance over the past three years, which, he said, had cost Papua New Guinean tax payers millions of kina.
He said Sir Michael should ensure that an independent investigating team probe allegations of widespread corruption and theft of public funds.
“The taxpayers want to know how much money have so far been spent and the additional cost to be incurred with the resumption of investigations as directed by the Prime Minister,” the former prime minister said.
Sir Mekere said while the Opposition supported a full inquiry into allegations of corruption, misuses of public funds and other fraudulent acts in Finance, Treasury and National Planning departments, there must be a timeframe during which the probe must be completed with clear terms of reference.
“The independent inquiry should then be left to carry its task and report back to the prime minister upon completion and not to be asked by anyone to produce preliminary findings,” Sir Mekere said,.
He questioned why the Prime Minister was demanding a preliminary report by next month.
“What is the guarantee that the Prime Minister will not call off the inquiry after the preliminary findings?” the Moresby North-West MP asked.