Authority tasked to provide plan

By LESLIE OMARO
NATIONAL Maritime Safety Authority has been directed to provide an implementation plan, including estimates of costs to 37 proposals to improve maritime safety in PNG in two weeks.
The implementation plan are to be presented to the Central Agencies Coordination Committee (CACC) chief secretary Manasupe Zurenuoc  said when he provided copies of the Commission of Inquiry report into the sinking of the mv Rabaul Queen to relevant authorities in Port Moresby last Friday.
Present to receive a copy of the report were NMSA general manager Chris Rupen, Deputy Police Commissioner Simon Kauba, Public Prosecutor Pondros Kaluwin, Department of Transport acting secretary Robert Pohory and lawyer representing the survivors and victims Arnold Amet junior.
Zurenuoc said NMSA had a huge job in front of it because the safety of Papua New Guineans depended on NMSA properly performing its job.“I’m pleased to officially provide a copy of the report and its proposals to the public prosecutor, police and the NMSA.“The commission has identified 37 proposals to improve maritime safety in PNG,” said ZurenuocHe said the National Executive Council had accepted all the proposals outlined in the report and directed the Central Agencies Coordination (CACC) to provide oversight of the implementation process.
“The commission has gathered the facts.
“It is now up to the police and the public prosecutor to consider the facts in the report and gather any additional evidence so that consideration can be given to whether any criminal charges should be laid,” the chief secretary said.Zurenuoc said many of the proposals needed to be implemented by NMSA.
“The report considered that if the authority had properly conducted its duties, the Rabaul Queen may not have sunk.However, the authority should not be disbanded instead it needs to be properly funded and staffed by skilled experienced officers.“As outlined by the deputy prime minister when he tabled the report in parliament on Wednesday, the implementation of the proposals is a high priority for this government,” Zurenuoc said.
“The CACC is taking seriously its responsibilities to implement these proposals.
“For too long the public service has failed to implement recommendations from COIs. This is going to change.
“Like many Papua New Guineas, I was saddened by this terrible tragedy and offer my condolences to the families of those who have lost a loved one in this tragedy.” Chris Rupen thanked the government for providing copies of the report.He said his organisation would try its best to implement the proposals.