Govt wants Apec assets back

ALL Apec assets in the custody of individuals and parties must be returned to the Finance Department, says Secretary Dr Ken Ngangan.
The assets include laptops, phones, cars, vehicles, plants and equipment and devices such as hardware and software used during the Apec summits in Port Moresby last month.
In a newspaper advertisement yesterday, the acting chairman of the Central Supply and Tenders Board said it was illegal to be in possession of those items.
“The assets acquired by the State and donated by the international partners, NGOs and corporate entities for the purpose of the event belong to the State. The Apec event has ended and they have to be returned,” Ngangan said.
The notice was issued to the general public and short-term employees, contractors, service providers, individuals, joint security taskforce and citizens engaged by the State and the Apec authority.
He said the Apce authority was taking stock of the assets before they were disposed of.
“This was in accordance with the Public Finance Management (amendment) Act 2016. The State would apply the full force of the law to those who do not release the assets,” he said.
He also asked donor partners to submit a full list of what they gave to the event.
Apec Minister Justin Tkatchenko said a full report on all assets purchased, acquired and donated to the Apec Coordination Authority would be made known to the public by the end of this month.
Tkatchenko was speaking in response to questions by The National regarding the progress made to recoup all assets owned by the authority and the process of disposing them through public tender.
The future of those employed by the authority will also have to be decided.