Venues work in limbo

 By HENRY MORABANG

THERE is no physical evidence of demolition work at the Taurama Leisure Centre (TLC) to make way for the proposed multi-million kina Taurama Aquatic Centre and Indoor Complex for the 2015 Pacific Games.

A visit by this newspaper to the TLC yesterday afternoon only found tall grass surrounding the complex.

Since the groundbreaking and launching of the new venues a month ago at TLC, no physical work has taken place. 

Minister for Sports and 2015 Pacific Games Justin Tkatchenko publicly announced in Jan­uary that a similar groundbreaking ceremony for the games village at the University of Papua New Guinea and the new netball complex would follow. 

The National understands there are issues that compounded the delay of demolition of the Taurama Aquatic Centre and the groundbreaking ceremony for the games village at the UPNG campus. 

The main issue was the delay in the appointment of new executive director of the PNG Sports Foundation. 

The foundation, as lead government implementing agency, is in disarray as there is no substantive chief executive officer. 

When contacted, acting executive director Iammo La­u­na did not want to dwell on the issue, saying they were waiting for the outcome from the Public Service Commission on the appointment. 

She is tipped to retain her post. Launa’s acting appointment lapsed on April 5.

Another issue is that the Venue Infrastructure Equipment Committee is stagnant as they cannot not do much as the Central Tenders and Supply Board has yet to name contractors.

Both chairman Andrew Potter and his deputy, Mel Donald of VIEC, have often referred this paper to Tkatchenko for comments.

Donald said some final government approvals were in the process, “which we were expecting to be completed last month before the groundbreaking ceremony for the games venue at the University of Papua New Guinea could commence”. 

The National was told a list of contractors was now before the Solicitor-General’s Office for endorsement to NEC for approval.  It is understood some con­tractors were allegedly lin­ked with members of the PNG Sports Foundation Commission and several politicians. 

The CSTB has worked to screen contractors before names are forwarded to the government for endorsement.

Work on the K90 million Rita Flynn Netball Court and Sports Complex for the 2015 Games is likely to face similar consequences.