Sir Mekere: Sell the Falcon and help our hospitals

THE prime minister should sell his K130 million Falcon jet to buy life-saving equipment for hospitals, opposition leader Sir Mekere Morauta has suggested.
He said this following a call by the PNG Trade Union Congress to the Australian government to help fund life-saving machines for our hospitals during last week’s visit of the minister for Pacific island affairs Richards Marles to Port Moresby.
Sir Mekere said the PNG Trade Union Congress (PNGTUC) should stop telling the Australian government to pump some of its aid money directly into buying life-saving machines but rather tell the PM to sell his expensive K130 million falcon jet to help buy the equipment.
“Where were the trade unions when the jet was bought?
“They should have asked the PM to use the money to buy the equipment than begging from Australia to help fund hospitals,” he said during the handover of the PNG Party leadership to Belden Namah.
“Michael Malabag’s statement is not news to the people of PNG.
“Important referral and main hospitals like Port Moresby General Hospital, Angau Memorial Hospital, Goroka Base Hospital and others nationwide all need essential medical equipment.
“It’s a national shame.
“Where was Malabag and the unions when the prime minister was trying to buy the Falcon jet.?
“Silent! Nothing was said. I want him to come out on behalf of the unions to call of the PM to sell the plane.
“We all know that the aircraft is used exclusively by Somare as his aerial PMV for family shopping trips, birthday parties and other family errands.
“Somare and I are likely to get medivac services to Australia if we are sick and the state pays for it but what about the ordinary people?” Sir Mekere asked.
However, he said the unions and people must come out and urge Sir Michael to find money to buy the essential life-saving equipment instead of begging other nations and donor agencies.
“I’m ashamed. Other leaders should also be ashamed,” the former prime minister said.
He also called on the unions to urged minister for public enterprises to stop spoon feeding national flag carrier, Air Niugini, to buy second hand aircraft using agents.
“We wonder who is getting the commission.
“Why can’t we use the money to buy life-saving equipment?
“It is shameful to ask Australia to buy equipment for our hospital,” Sir Mekere said.