Marat denies being consulted about loan at inquiry

By HELEN TARAWA
DEPUTY Opposition Leader and Rabaul MP Dr Allan Marat told the Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the Union Bank of Switzerland loan deal that he was not consulted as the Attorney-General and Justice Minister at the time.
Marat, who was among a list of witnesses who appeared on Friday, said although he was the relevant minister, he was not a party to the negotiations of the loan.
“The International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC) loan the initiation and negotiations, I was not involved apart from being present in Cabinet,” he told the inquiry.
“I began to query the 18.2 per cent IPIC loan that was obtained, especially the three per cent under the oil and energy project.
“It was through this persistent questioning that I fell out.
“The whole arrangement led to my sacking as minister for justice and attorney-general,” Marat said.
COI chairman Sir Salamo Injia said that was the kind of evidence that the commission would be looking for.
Marat is scheduled to appear before the commission again to give evidence on May 18.
The COI on Friday had called for witnesses for historical background which included Sir Mekere Motrauta, Western Highlands Governor Paias Wingti, Ialibu-Pangia MP Peter O’Neill, Dr Lawrence Sausse and Prof Lekshmi Pillai, both from the University of PNG. Present were Sir Mekere Morauta and Dr Sausse.
Former Prime Minister Sir Rabbie Namaliu, Prime Minister James Marape and Sir Charles Lepani were summoned to appear as witnesses of which only Sir Mekere, Sir Rabbie and Sir Charles appeared.
Acting chief secretary Isaac Lupari, National Executive Council secretary Grace So-on, legislative counsel Johnny Bogambari, former Clerk of Parliament Vela Konivaro and State Solicitor Daniel Rolpagarea were given notices to appear as witnesses.
Konivaro did not turn up for the hearing.
Treasury secretary Dairi Vele, who was represented by his counsel Tiffany Nongor from Twivey Lawyers, appeared with all the information that the commission had required.
Other witnesses, who appeared included official secretary to the Governor General Bill Toraso, National Procurement Commission (NPC) chief executive officer Simon Bole, NPC secretary Babaga Naime while Oil Search was represented by their counsel.
Witnesses not present included Finance secretary Dr Ken Ngangan, Kumul Consolidated Holdings managing director Isikeli Taureka, Former Minister for Public Enterprises Arthur Somare, Former Treasurer and Finance Minister Patrick Pruaitch and former Petroleum and Energy Minister William Duma.