Former valuer-general to give further evidence in inquiry

FORMER valuer-general Gabriel Michael is expected to give further evidence in a commission of inquiry (COI) looking into the sale and purchase of the Motukea wharf in Port Moresby.
Senior Counsel assisting the COI Gibson Geroro during a hearing at Apec House in Port Moresby last week said Michael would be available for cross examination on Oct 18.
Geroro said Michael is expected to be cross examined by lawyers for Lands Minister John Rosso, Ialibu-Pangia MP Peter O’Neill, Lands secretary Benjamin Samson, former Lands secretary Romilly Kila Pat, Curtain Brothers, Ballimore No.39 Ltd and former Treasury secretary Dairi Vele.
Geroro told the COI that the parties wanted to cross examine him following his earlier evidence.
Michael had testified in March that he was pressured by Kila Pat and then Curtain Brothers general manager Justin McGann to falsely increase by more than K300 million the value of the piece of land where the Motukea wharf was now located.
Counsel assisting the COI Maleva Kipa asked the COI to adjourn to Oct 18 the summons issued to state-solicitor Daniel Rolpagarea, National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop, former minister for Public Enterprise Arthur Somare, and secretary for the Department of Prime Minister and NEC Ivan Pomaleu.
COI chairman and commissioner Sike Julian Toulik granted Kipa’s request.
The objective of the inquiry is to establish the facts surrounding the relocation of the Port Moresby wharf; the decision on the selection of Motukea and the K1 billion cost of the relocation as well as individuals and entities that were instrumental in the negotiation and all who benefited from the deal.
The COI will resume on Thursday to hear an application from Nou Gagoga Gaigo, Nenehi Laruina Incorporated Land Group (Tatana village).