Decision to delay COI contradictory

Letters

I WELCOME the UBS loan inquiry spearheaded by chairman Sir Salamo Injia.
However, it was reported yesterday that inquiry will not proceed due to the non-availability of overseas counsels and solicitors.
Earlier on, the chairman said despite non-availability of overseas counsels and solicitors, the inquiry would still proceed.
That is a bit contradicting.
The Government has already allocated an additional K28 million which was released by the Finance Department on Feb 13, 2020 for the inquiry.
Sir Salamo stated that the additional K28 million would be budgeted for overseas commissioners, councils, solicitors and a firm of solicitors to assist the counsel assisting the inquiry.
Now, the following needs to be addressed:

  • SINCE the National Court has rejected the submission for overseas counsels and solicitors admission for this UBS inquiry, can the Government reconsider the allocated K28 million? This is too much; and,
  • NOW, we are expecting a revised budget which should be less than initial K28 million. We the taxpayers want to know the actual cost of this inquiry. We are paying tax and need to know how our money is spent.

    Concerned Taxpayer
    POM