Unitech students told to await investigation findings

By GABRIEL LAHOC
UNIVERSITY of Technology students have been told to wait for the findings of an investigation led by retired judge Mark Sevua into the Unitech management saga.
Chief secretary to government Manasupe Zurenuoc highlighted seven decisions made by cabinet in response to the students’ petition submitted last week .
The decisions are that:
lCabinet recognises the incumbency of Prof John Pumwa as acting vice-chancellor of the university;
lCabinet recognises the incumbency of Sir Nagora Bogan to exercise duty of care in the administration of the university;
lThe investigation led by retired judge Mark Sevua is in train and that this process to be respected by all parties;
lThe refusal of Albert Schram to enter the country arose from a decision by the Stagg council to terminate his contract of employment. This was subsequently upheld by Justice Gavara Nanu. Schram’s appeal on Dec 14, 2012, was rejected because he lacked locus standi to bring the proceedings. Therefore the refusal of entry by immigration was based on the absence of a contract of employment and work visa for Schram;
lPrime minister wishes to categorically state that Schram’s termination took place well before NEC appointed the interim council and well before he gave his directives at the university on Jan 14, 2013. Any directions otherwise from the office of the prime minister or even Sir Nagora Bogan would be in contempt of court;
lDespite the above, the prime minister has directed that Schram be allowed entry into PNG using appropriate visa terms and conditions to give evidence before the Sevua investigations at a date as determined by Sevua; and
lChief secretary to government direct the departments of finance, planning and monitoring and police fraud squad to investigate issues of financial irregularities at the university in line with the recommendations of duty of care of the Stagg council.
“It is worth noting at this stage that the future of the all the government sponsored students which constitute two thirds, private sponsored students and international students studying at the PNGUoT rest entirely with the decisions you choose to make today,” Zurenuoc said in the letter.
Students Representative Council president Livingstone Hosea, after reading the letter, said: “Not even one bit of the reasons provided is convincing because I see it as total contradiction to the truths.”