Opps shocked at PM’s action
By JULIA DAIA BORE
The Opposition yesterday slammed Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare for disbanding the inquiry into the Finance department.
They said that the Commission of Inquiry’s termination and referral to the parliamentary public accounts committee was a complete reversal from what was a good progress towards ensuring transparency and good governance.
Leader of Opposition Sir Mekere Morauta said the decision to disband the inquiry was shocking and would send negative signals domestically and internationally.
“Just when our nation’s ratings were beginning to climb up, with one slash, we have cut ourselves down again with the cloak of secrecy that is the hallmark of the Somare regime,” Sir Mekere said at a press conference.
Deputy Opposition leader Bart Philemon said “the people’s desires and right to know what had happened, and may still be happening, to public funds has been dashed again”.
Kairuku-Hiri MP Paru Aihi called on the people of PNG to “rise up” and demand that the inquiry be retained.
The Opposition said information reaching them indicated that Sir Michael was forced to sign the instruments to disband the inquiry.
The Opposition said the inquiry had been dogged with problems since its establishment in August 2006.
“Between last September and January this year, the PM oscillated six times making appointment, revoking, re-appointing some, sometimes on his own initiative and sometimes upon “advice”.
“Someone or some people are clearly threatened by this Commission of Inquiry.
“We may now never know the facts, because the PM has succumbed to pressure exerted on him to disband the inquiry,” the leaders alleged, and called on the PM to explain his actions to the people of this nation.
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