Commission of inquiry to seek advice on witnesses’ expenses

THE Royal Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the Union Bank of Switzerland (UBS) loan will seek directions from the Prime Minister’s Office on expenses incurred by witnesses, chairman Sir Salamo Injia says.
He told the commission hearing on Friday that witnesses’ expenses would be paid by the State through consolidated revenue on appropriate directions issued by the minister responsible, in this case the prime minister.
Sir Salamo was responding to questions by former state enterprises minister Ben Micah on payments for witnesses.
Micah said witnesses had been meeting their own expenses to attend the hearing although the Commission of Inquiry (COI) Act stated that witnesses’ expenses would be met by the commission.
Sir Salamo said the commission had not yet had any discussion with Prime Minister James Marape on the issue.
“In relation to the expenses of the witnesses, it’s an area that needs to be looked at and proper arrangements put in place,” he said.
“There has not been precedence set on this arrangement so it’s been taken for granted.
“With the size of the inquiry, the cost is expected to escalate and the cost of the commission is running high already.
“Your request is now the task for the commission to work on the cost which will include overseas counsels and solicitors.”
Sir Salamo said those fees alone could well surpass the commission’s budget.
He said the commission would be tasked to put together some advice for the prime minister.
Micah said the COI Act enabled witnesses to be compensated some expenses for travel and accommodation.
“It is important that those who are responsible for providing evidence are paid.
“This is the most highly, technical, sophisticated and international transaction.
“I have been putting together all my evidence.
“If the Government is serious in exposing the mistakes of this deal and to recoup this money, we must be paid and our lawyers and technical people must be paid,” Micah said.
Meanwhile, former petroleum minister William Duma says the evidence that he submitted to the inquiry on Friday was connected to the Elk Antelope gas field.
Duma told The National after his brief appearance before the commission that the UBS transaction had taken place some weeks after he was decommissioned as minister for petroleum.
He said the Government had borrowed K3 billion (US$1.2bil) from UBS to buy 10 per cent shares in Oil Search.
“From the proceeds of US$1.2bil, Oil Search used US$900mil (K3,100mil) to acquire 20.8 per cent in the Elk Antelope gas field, that’s where the relevance is,” Duma said. “I have submitted my statement.
“If the commission and lawyers have further queries they can ask me to return.
“We are all supposed to help the inquiry arrive at the truth as citizens.”
Micah said he was knowledgeable of the facts and would give full evidence about what transpired in the two loans, the UBS and the International Petroleum Investment Company.
University of PNG lecturer Dr Solomon Awili, of the School of Business and Public Policy, also appeared briefly.
Sir Salamo directed that Duma appear on Aug 24 at 9.30am, Micah Aug 3 at 9.30am and Dr. Awili on July 27 at 9.30am