O’Neill not backing down on court ruling

PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill says “this is not the end of the road for obtaining justice for the people of Western”, after being briefed on a court ruling in Singapore on the PNG Sustainable Development Program case.
He said in a statement the ruling would be subjected to an appeal.
“The State has contested the decision in Singapore, and we will not stop until we have explored all options to ensure we have done all we can to protect the interests of the men, women and children of Western,” he said.
“Looking at the latest decision of the court, there is less reason for (Sir) Mekere (Morauta) and his cronies to be smug as there are clear concerns at the way in which PNGSDP has been manipulated over the years.
“The original intent of the administrative structure of PNGSDP would have ensured transparency and the protection of billions of Kina belonging to the people of Western.
“In the original structure, the Bank of Papua New Guinea, the PNG Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Ministry for Treasury, were each to appoint one director and ensure diversity of representation and decision making.
“But this structure was manipulated and now the State and institutions no longer participate in the board and governance of PNG Sustainable Development Program”
He said Sir Mekere “and his friends” were treating the PNGSDP “like it is their own private trust account”.
He accused them of spending tens of millions from PNGSDP on consultancy fees, overseas travel “and other wastage”.