Secretary for Treasury

Treasury condemns ‘illegal’ release of internal memo

According to the leaked internal memorandum, the Public Debt Committee was advised by an officer from the Bank of PNG that they will be “struggling to pay salaries on time due to issues relating to the cashflow situation”.

The memo went on to say about K60m-K70m is needed to allow payroll to be processed.

On the other hand, Secretary Dairi Vele said: “Let us be clear that public service salaries will be paid.

“The Government Auction is one way that we use to raise funds. It is NOT the only way.

K900 million loan for Health sector

This was revealed by Secretary for Treasury, Dairi Vele yesterday in Port Moresby during the National Parliament Induction Programme.

Vele announced this when questioned by East Sepik Governor, Allan Bird, why over the last five years there was a significant increase in borrowing while many hospitals were not upgraded.

Bird questioned this after Vele said in his presentation to members of Parliament that health was one of the priority areas justifying the borrowing.

“My question is where were those borrowings expanded? Bird asked.