Powers of OC clarified

By DEMAS TIEN
THE Supreme Court has ruled that the Ombudsman Commission has the power to investigate Prime Minister Peter O’Neill regarding the Government’s “alleged improper borrowing” of K3 billion from an overseas bank in 2014.
Justice David Cannings handed down the decision yesterday on behalf of a five-man bench made up of Deputy Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika, Justice Panuel Mogish, Justice Stephen Kassman, Justice Terence Higgins and Cannings.
“They know that we have consistency in our policies and remain a business-friendly government.”
He highlighted the evolution in the oil and gas sectors “that is creating even broader investment opportunities”.
“Increased efficiencies in our resource sector are bringing greater returns on investment in a tough global climate, and this will see increased returns as global conditions improve,” he said.
“Our future gas developments will be a broader mix of LNG exports, downstream processing and local power production.
“We will also be using this gas to meet the need to deliver reliable and affordable electricity for our industries, business and households.
“So when you look at oil and gas investment in Papua New Guinea, there is broad scope to work with us to further develop this sector to the maximum benefit.”