Loan inquiry hearing to proceed

THE Commission of Inquiry into the Union Bank of Switzerland loan will hold a public hearing in December if administrative arrangements continue to be delayed, says commission chairman Sir Salamo Injia.
He said the commission was unable to sit yesterday because administrative arrangements had not been completed. It plans to hold a publicly hearing on Monday, Dec 16 where an announcement is expected to be made on the conduct of the inquiry in 2020, if administrative arrangements are not completed.
He said the commission was waiting to be advised by the State Solicitor on the requirements for the work permits of an overseas commissioner and counsel. “The Secretary for Justice, State Solicitor and Solicitor-General are yet to secure admissions and practicing certificates for an overseas counsel from the National Court and the PNG Law Society,” he said.
“Discussions on these matters between overseas counsel and the State Solicitor that took place on Sept 24 and Oct 1 have not been followed (up) with the counsel. If the delay continues, the commission may seek the political indulgence of the Attorney-General or the Prime Minister James Marape to expedite these matters,” he said.
Sir Salamo said the commission was yet to receive the extra funding as approved by Marape on Sept 18.
He said foreign exchange clearance of payments for preparatory and preliminary work done by the overseas commissioner and counsel was held up at the Central Bank and the Tax Office.
“Until these and other outstanding administrative arrangements are completed, this commission is unable to sit together and is unlikely to sit anytime soon,” he said.