Transparency International PNG (TIPNG)

In a media statement, TIPNG is calling for the Government and APEC Authority to publicly disclose the total cost involved in the purchase of the Maserati and Bentley vehicles and to demonstrate their compliance with public procurement processes.

TIPNG said this in response to public condemnation of the purchase of 40 Maserati sports cars which were delivered last week and other luxury vehicles.

“The justification that funds set aside for the conduct of the LLG Election need to be used for settling outstanding allowances to Councilors is deplorable,” said Chairman of TIPNG, Lawrence Stephens.

“It indicates that it is the Government’s view that Constitutional Rights can be violated on the basis of poor fiscal management by state agencies.”

It is TIPNG's view that the deferral of the LLG Elections is a breach of the constitution. Deferral of the LLG elections to hold them later is a complete denial of statutory and constitutional responsibilities which is not consistent with the leadership that the people of Papua New Guinea deserve.

The spirit of the constitution is that National & Local Elections should have concurrent terms. 

Roko Koloma is being investigated by the Royal PNG Constabulary Fraud Squad.

TIPNG has made this call after media reports that Koloma is being sought by the police in regards to a discrepancy of more than K24 million in the NSO accounts after the Department of Finance conducted an audit investigation in 2017.

It was reported that Alois, senior engineer in the Momase Region, was suspended after making a presentation, at the invitation of the National Planning Minister, on the economics of building roads in PNG.

Participants at the National Planning Summit, including the Secretary for Works, heard Alois provide details of the spiraling costs of each kilometre of road construction.

It has been alleged that Tjandra, an Indonesian businessman, is a fugitive from his country and its justice system.

"Ombudsman Commission's report on Tjandra is important and TIPNG has highlighted the apparent abuse of power by government officials in awarding citizenship to this allegedly unqualified applicant since it became public knowledge in 2009," said Chairman of TIPNG Lawrence Stephens.

Transparency International PNG’s (TIPNG) statement follows the unsuccessful attempt by police to take Koloma in for questioning last Friday.

In a statement, TIPNG says it is appalling that the Minister for Lands and Physical Planning has needed to report files, important to an Administrative Inquiry launched by the Prime Minister, to be missing.

“It is simply not acceptable that Prime Minister Peter O'Neill and Minister Tkatchenko are prevented from delivering on promises they have made to the nation and shamed by public servants who fail to secure documents essential to delivering of these promises,” says the anti-rot organisation.  

TIPNG says PM Peter O’Neill effectively acted against his own earlier decision, which in accordance with principles of good governance, was to protect the investigation into the K46m Manumanu land deal by sidelining William Duma and Dr. Fabian Pok until such time as it had been completed.

The newly opened TIPNG office located at Boroko, National Capital District, suffered a break and entry in the early hours of Monday morning with personnel being assaulted and close to K20,000 worth of goods stolen from the premises. 

“We are a local non-governmental organisation fighting an important battle against destructive corruption and dependent on financial support from concerned citizens and donor agencies,” said Chairman of TIPNG Lawrence Stephens.