PWNIL owned by the people, says chairman

THE Public Works New Ireland Ltd (PWNIL) is a company wholly owned by the people of the province to carry out the government’s civil and engineering works.
Company executive chairman Sir Noel Levi made the clarification following public outcry that the company was privately owned and was using public funds.
He said the company had its schedule of audited activities and expenditures to ensure it operated on a transparent accounting system.
Sir Noel said the company was wholly owned by the people of New Ireland under the auspicious of the New Ireland provincial government established by resolution of the provincial executive council and registered under PNG laws.
Levi said its core role and function were clearly defined with a highly qualified and professional management team tasked with undertaking all government civil and engineering
works in relation to infrastructure plans and budgets to fulfill the visions
and goals of the people under the Malagan Declaration.
He said the company was not a private entity owned by the governor or individuals but established to fast-track infrastructure projects and gain best value for money budgeted on projects for New Ireland people.
“PWNIL does not siphon off free and subsidised education funds nor does it dictate expenditures under the provincial budget of New Ireland but responds to the schedule of works and projects dictated by the provincial government within the budgets given to it,” he said.
He said it was a vehicle using public funds to facilitate the swift delivery of government projects and programmes within the limited budget allocation of the government.
As executive director of the board, Levi maintains strict audit of its schedule of works and expenditures, maintaining close liaison with the provincial government.
He said the PWNIL was the second business entity to the New Ireland Development Corporation.