Falcon ownership queried

THE East Sepik National Alliance branch has called on the O’Neill-Namah regime to clear the air on the ownership of the Falcon jet.
Branch president Henry Takombe said after the turn of events of Aug 2 last year, the aircraft’s sale was one of the government’s major agenda item after it criticised Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare and his government’s decision to buy it.
He said it had become obvious that Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, his deputy and cabinet members were using the jet for domestic and international travels, including the Malaysia-Port Moresby trip that has put at risk the country’s relations with Indonesia.
Takombe said O’Neill and Belden Namah should confirm that they had sold the aircraft to Air Niugini or parked it somewhere for their own use.
He condemned the recent outburst by Namah against Indonesia over the Indonesian airspace intercept last November.
Takombe accused Namah, a former defence force captain, of trying to run a military-type government.
“The honourable thing for Namah to do after the incident was to consult the Indonesian embassy to settle the issue instead of threatening to close it down and expel the ambassador.”