Govt owes businesses K1 billion

The National Main Stories

By DALE LUMA
THE Government owes businesses more than K1 billion, according to the PNG Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PNGCCI).
President John Leahy said when responding to queries from The National that anecdotally, the Government had been paying outstanding rents but not for goods and services supplied.
“At every PNGCCI meeting, whether in person or by zoom in the past couple of years, failure by the national government to pay its debts is a major concern identified by chambers throughout the country,” Leahy told The National.
“It is a major issue for all businesses but for SMEs (small to medium enterprises) it can be crippling.
“And then there is the added problem that the IRC (Internal Revenue Commission) may well take enforcement action against companies who are behind with their tax payments because their cash flow is seriously affected by unpaid Government bills.
“While it is separate, there is also much concern among exporters who are forced to wait for refunds of GST (Goods and Services Tax).
“This also puts pressure on cash flow to the tune of tens of millions of kina according to estimates.
“Meanwhile, questions have been raised in the national parliament without a response as far as we are aware that substantial payments have been made to road construction contractors for the Highlands Highway for work that has not been done.”
According to the CPL Group: “We have a total of K7 million owing to us for medical supplies.
“Out of this, K1.4 million is outstanding for over 12 months (supplies of 2019). The balance of K5.6 million, some of them are almost six months old outstanding.
“It’s important to note that when we purchase these medicines, most of our suppliers want payment upfront so we are out of pocket at time for over 12 months.
Steamships said: “We are amongst a number of businesses that are owed by the Government and we remain in dialogue to clear outstanding bills.”
A company based out of East New Britain said it is owed around K4.8 million, plus accruing interest for a Department of Works road contract and emergency works in West New Britain dating back to early 2015.
“We are owed around K14 million plus accruing interest for construction work on the PNG Games venue at Kimbe from 2017.

5 comments

  • The very backbone of our country are the company’s and people the Chamber is talking about.
    Another reason that this Government should be voted out as we have absolultly NO CONFIDENCE in waiting to be paid by the Government that is crippling the livelihoods of so many.
    Why can’t the government pay there bills on time, unacceptable…..

  • Such reports should clarify when these debts were incurred. The reason why I am saying this is because people always come up with conclusion that these were done by the recent government lead by PM James Marape and his deputy PM Steven Davies’s government. There are some businesses who were reaping millions from the previous government either through inflated rates or dubious deals. I guess we all forget easily that the country was already in debt for K37b before this new government. Can we just move all work together to move forward and by providing some solutions in helping this government. Already fed up with blame game

  • The current government has continued and carried on many of the failures of past governments. The reason is simple. Same players, but different positions. Best example was the recent protest regarding the non payment of salaries for church health workers. Church run schools face the same problems of late or delayed payments. So those companies won’t get their money in anyway, because this government does not have a billion Kina to repay its debt.

  • After Michael Somare Government, the ONE’LL Government and his successor JM had already put this nation in turmoil. We wonder huge billion and yet people are dying in any level. Kind of leadership at the National Level depicted by certain region in which the Nation had turn in wrong direction. Many level of bureaucratic government system id rooted by corruption stared by these PM leadership style. PNG in ditch.

  • PMJM was in previous Government so no need to blame PO.His right hand man took over and managing the affairs.

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