Govt not trying to take over fund: PM

 THE Government is not trying to take over the PNG Sustainable Development Programme’s Long-Term Fund but wants to ensure that it benefits the people of Western province, Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said on Tuesday.

He said it was agreed with BHP that when the State took over OK Tedi mine, or if the mine closed, all the money would go to the province.

“That’s all we are trying to facilitate,” he said in response to claims by Sir Mekere Morauta, chairman of the PNG Sustainable Development Programme (PNGSDP).

In releasing the 2013 financial statements on Sunday, Sir Mekere said the fund had decreased by US$56 million (about K135 million) from US$1.35 billion (about K3.26 billion) to US$1.3 billion (about K3.14 billion) due to “unlawful actions of the Government”.

He claimed that PNGSDP’s performance had been hindered by the lack of dividends from OK Tedi, reducing its ability to invest and carry out development programmes.

O’Neill said the money rightfully belonged to the people of Western.

“The Government is not trying to take control of these funds,” he said.

“The money does not belong to Papua New Guinea. It belongs to the people of Western province.

“They want to participate in how these funds will be spent for the people of Western province.

“What is wrong with that?”

O’Neill asked what interest the directors of PNGSDP had in the province.

“Western is part of PNG and I have every right to speak for them,” he said.