Duma: I will not be cross examined in Parliament

The ownership of the Company that State paid K46. 6 million to acquire land to relocate PNG Defence Force institutions was raised again in Parliament today.

In Question Time in Parliament, Sinesine-Yongomugl MP, Kerenga Kua directed his questions to Minister for Public Enterprise & State Investment William Duma.

Kua questions were as followed; 

  1.  Did the defence force have a title to the Lancron Base; title means a title deed and not a title of occupancy?
  2. Was that title transferred to Kumul Consolidated Holdings Limited in return of K46.6 million it paid?  
  3. If not, what did Kumul Consolidated Holdings Limited buy from the Defence Force for the K46.6 million it paid?
  4.  Yesterday (Wednesday), the minister declared that he had no direct shareholdings in the Kukuram Estate Limited which we except that is confirmed by the records of the Register of Companies, however, Can he admit or deny to this floor whether he has any indirect interest   in the company in some undisclosed Trust Arrangement making him a beneficiary owner and controller of the company.
  5. Did the minister receive any part of the proceeds of the sale, namely the K46.6 million?
  6. Would he be aware that the Minister of Defence received any part of the sale?

Duma in response maintained his stand that he is not a shareholder of the company.

“There was a MOU entered into by PNGDF and Kumul Consolidated Holdings, dated 25 September 2015 when Honourable Ben Micah was the Minister for State Enterprises,” Duma said.

He said the title of Lancron PNGDF Naval Base will be given to Kumul Consolidated Holdings when a new Land Board is appointed because the old board was suspended.

 “In terms of whether or not I have a direct entity or shareholding in the company, I am not here to be cross examined by people, when I gave my answer yesterday that I am not a shareholder.

The land in question is at Manumanu in the Kairuku- Hiri Electorate of Central Province.

Duma gave a personal explanation on Wednesday in Parliament.

(File picture of Sinesine-Yongomugl MP Kerenga Kua)

Author: 
Charles Yapumi