|
PEA backs Ombudsman
THE Public Employees Association has come out in support of the
Ombudsman Commission to establish the facts surrounding the release of
K90 million in electoral funds to MPs.
PEA president and acting PNG Trade Union president Michael Malabag in a
statement last Thursday challenged the Government and Ombudsman
Commission to inform the people of PNG what or which rural projects had
been identified to be funded from the K90 million.
Mr Malabag said the people of this country had the right to know how
much was released for their electorate and how it was spent, especially
on the eve of elections.
“If the assertion of the Ombudsman Commission is correct in questioning
the manner in which the funds were released, the unions and its
membership throughout the country condemn the actions of the leaders and
the Office of Rural Development in the strongest term, in the gross
abuse and manipulation of laws, systems and processes which governs the
public service.”
He said time and time again, the public servants had been used as
scapegoats in corruption scandals and yet people fail to see beyond such
issues of political pressure exerted on public servants to satisfy the
whims of leaders in this country.
Mr Malabag said the non adherence to the Public Finance Management Act
and its systems and processes to disburse the K90 million contravened
ethos of transparency and good governance which this Government
continued to propagate.
“This current Parliament has on previous occasions approved increased
salaries on top of their perks and privileges which was an additional
drain on the nation’s purse which was totally outrageous.”
Mr Malabag said such politicians, who were voted into Parliament to
serve themselves, were not worthy of re-election in the coming
elections.
“The workers stand together to support the Ombudsman Commission to get
to the bottom of this abuse and reveal the perpetrators to the people of
this country.”
He said the Ombudsman must use all its constitutional powers to unearth
this rot as they owed it to the public to know how their funds were
expended.
Mr Malabag said the names of MPs who had not acquitted previous
electoral funds and were further given remaining funds must be published
for transparency and accountability.
“People of this country have the right to know what sort of politicians
they are voting for in light of the recent developments.
“The TUC and its affiliates have maintained industrial harmony for the
sake of our fragile economy, but if politicians are seen to be ‘rotting’
the system for selfish gains, then we will not hesitate to flex the
union’s muscle even if it means vital services are disrupted during this
vital period.”
 
|
