K5mil for ex-soldiers

A TOTAL of 3,171 Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) pre-colonial ex-servicemen are eligible to receive more than K5 million that will be equally distributed among them.
The plaintiffs in this case are ex-servicemen Frank Moripi and Martin Takoni, on behalf of the 1,695 pre-colonial ex-servicemen and on behalf of the next of kin and customary representative of the 551 deceased colonial ex-servicemen.
Acting Finance Department secretary Samuel Penias had yesterday published in The National the names of the ex-servicemen, stating that this was in accordance with court orders issued on Dec 20, 2023, by Judge Collin Makail at the National Court in Waigani.
Judge Makail ordered that Penias publish a copy of the finalised list as provided by the plaintiffs’ lawyer, Kubak and Kubak Solicitors and Barristers, dated Dec 18, 2023, in one of the daily newspapers.
“The purpose of the publication is to inform the plaintiffs’ beneficiaries nationwide about the commencement of the payment process by the Department of Justice and Attorney-General,” he ordered. “The publication shall be made within 30 days of the issuance of the order and the cost associated with publication shall be borne by Penias as the acting secretary of the Finance Department.”
Judge Makail also ordered that the sum of K5,435,526.20, as determined by the National Executive Council (NEC) in decision No.159 of 2010, be equally divided among the individuals listed on the lists provided by the plaintiffs’ lawyer to Penias.
“The plaintiffs’ lawyer shall submit bank account details for the PNGDF pre-colonial servicemen to Penias, enabling them to facilitate direct online payment upon proper identification and execution of the appropriate deed of release between the beneficiaries of the money and the plaintiffs’ and defendants’ lawyers,” he said.
On July 29, 2010, NEC, in its decision No.159 of 2010, approved a total of K23,300,000 as full and final entitlements for three different categories of pre-colonial ex-servicemen.
However, more than K5 million outstanding payments were not paid by the relevant authorities to the ex-servicemen, so they challenged that in court.