William Duma

As a result major adjustments have been made to flight schedules, leading to disruptions for our passengers traveling both domestically and internationally.

Acting Chief Executive Officer, Gary Seddon in a media statement said a team of highly skilled engineers and technicians are working tirelessly to rectify the issues and restore these aircraft to full operational capacity as soon as possible. 

However, lawyer presenting the PNG Electoral Commissioner Larsen Tanjun told Presiding Judge, Justice Joseph Yagi that he was not prepared to proceed.

“I need to obtain instructions from my client to file affidavits,” he said.

Lawyer representing Mr. Duma, Tumun Kuma said in another court proceeding filed by the EC regarding the appointment of the RO for Hagen Open, the Supreme Court allowed Willie Ropa to conduct the nominations for the open seat as the Returning Officer.

Minister Duma said the decision to recruit, train, terminate or discipline EMTV employees are within the jurisdiction of the EMTV executive management. He made these remarks following a question raised by Loop PNG on whether the decision to suspend Dimara was a directive of the current government. 
 

Minister Duma said this at this morning’s Commission of Inquiry session.

Under section 99 and 100 of the Oil and Gas Act, the Minister for Petroleum and Energy authorizes transfers and deals.

“In a significant transaction like this, I could say that the Minister for Petroleum and Energy would have been required to give his considerations and views.  

He said these allegations need to be proven.

The allegations refer to K33million (US$10.3 million) payment by Horizon Oil to a PNG shell company for its 10 per cent interest in Petroleum Retention License (PRL) 21 made 10 years ago.

The Australian Financial Review articles questioned the role of William Duma, who was then Petroleum Minister, and private Lawyer, Simon Ketan, who then owned the company, Elevala Energy, which sold its shares to Horizon.

The report by the Australian Financial Review (AFR) questioned the role of Commerce and Industry Minister, William Duma, when he was the Petroleum Minister in the Somare Government and private lawyer Simon Ketan.

In a statement issued on Friday, Police Commissioner David Manning, says they are closely following developments following the publication of the Australian Financial Review report over a week ago.

He came with his team straight from Parliament.

Leader of United Resources Party, William Duma, and his team have also defected to the Crown camp.

The leaders are now in a meeting and will be calling a press conference soon.

Abau MP Sir Puka Temu was the first to cross the floor this morning to the Government benches after the confirmation of Peter O’Neill’s resignation as Prime Minister.

Meantime, Parliament will meet tomorrow to appoint a new Prime Minister.

More updates to come…

Minister for State Owned Enterprises, William Duma, said this in a statement in response to recent comments made in the media by several national leaders in support of the coal fired power project in Morobe Province by Mayur Resources.

“PPL is reviewing its Power Plan for the Ramu Grid and investigating various types of power generation sources, including coal, to determine the least cost power generation solution that best meets the demand of current and future Ramu Grid customers and takes into account development such as Wafi-Golpu mine,” he said.

Minister for Public Investment and State Enterprise, William Duma, revealed this in Parliament today.

Duma was responding to Bougainville Regional MP, Joe Lera, who queried why the Ramazon project was stalled. He asked why the hydropower facility was not built since its initiation between 2012 and 2013.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) funded project is expected to provide reliable power supply to 60-70,000 people of North Bougainville, especially those in Buka Town and surrounding villages.

Minister for Public Enterprise and State Investments, William Duma, says the current Government remains confident they will survive a Vote of No Confidence.

“The Government is intact and we have the numbers. The Prime Minister enjoys the support of the majority of the numbers,” Duma stated.