William Duma

No jobs will be lost after merger: Duma

Duma was responding to questions raised by Rabaul MP Dr Allan Marat on allegations that staff will not be getting entitlements after the merger.

Dr Marat raised a series of questions, asking for clarification from the Minister responsible, William Duma.

He said mergers, unlike the current one, usually take a very long time so as to deal with issues that need to be properly settled.

He claimed that the merger is allowing outsiders to take over our national security.

NDB to secure commercial license for subsidiary

It is believed that after eight years of operating profitably, the NDB can take on bigger challenges.

With a commercial license the NDB aims to provide retail banking services to the masses, particularly the two million indigenous people who are currently unbanked.

Minister for Public Enterprise and State Investment, William Duma, recently sad the NDB is the leading State Owned Entity (SOE) in terms of implementing good corporate governance and best practice.

Ramu 2 arrangements discussed

He said once this is finalised the project can go ahead.

Duma responded to Eastern Highlands Governor, Peter Numu, during question time in Parliament on Wednesday, on the status of the Ramu 2 Hydro Project.

Numu said the project could assist his and neighbouring provinces with constant power issues.

Duma said though the project was approved by the NEC, but funded by a Chinese Consortium and thus the arrangements for the project was being looked at.

Governor Numu also asked Duma on the Governments plans for the Yonki Hydro Station

NSL equity in SOEs possible: Minister

He said this in response to a proposal for the fund to acquire interest in the SOEs to settle more than K2 billion in unfunded superannuation by the state to public servants.

Duma said if a company is to take up equity in SOEs, it should be PNG companies with a track record.

“I wouldn’t rule that out. Namabwan Super looks after the interest of our people and they are a national institution, so it would be better off having a national institution taking up equity in some of our SOEs because the money stays with us, these are our companies.”

Govt in no rush for permanent appointment: Duma

Minister Duma said while the NEC has announced for the position to be advertised, they are also monitoring the performance of the current managing director, Carolyn Blacklock.

He said any appointment will be made on merit and they will be considering all the best candidates to take over the role and to implement the government’s agenda to improvement power services in the country.

The Minister said this following the announcement of Peter Nupiri as chairman of PPL and Maureen Mori and Prashanti Shasti as directors of the board.

New K37m PPL substation to be built

A ground breaking ceremony was held on Friday (Nov 10) to begin construction of a new 40 megawatt substation.

Speaking at the event, Minister for Public Enterprises and State Investment, William Duma, said the Kilakila substation project will include two components.

Gas-powered project to be constructed

The announcement was made by Minister for Public Enterprises and State Investments, William Duma, on Friday (Nov 10) during the ground-breaking ceremony of the Kilakila substation in Port Moresby.

He said the project will be constructed by an independent power producer (IPP), NiuPower Limited, a joint venture company owned by Oil Search Ltd and Kumul Petroleum Holdings Ltd.

“The electricity will be sold to PNG Power Ltd (PPL) under a power purchase agreement between PPL and NiuPower.”

Isoaimo questions Duma’s appointment

Peter Isoaimo said Hagen Open MP Duma is yet to answer to his people on the alleged land deal at Manumanu, where a K46 million transaction to relocate the PNG Defence Force took place without proper process.

In a statement, Isoaimo said a commission of inquiry was promised to his people but then downgraded to an administrative inquiry.

Central LOs condemn Duma’s appointment

In a statement, Gabadi-Manumanu Land Committee chairman, John Daroa, said: “This is because William Duma is under investigation in the controversial Manumanu land deal in Kairuku district while he was the minister for public enterprise and state investments in the last government.

“The outcome of the investigation by the police fraud squad, administrative inquiry and Ombudsman Commission is yet to be made public.”

Sir Julius jumps on PNC bandwagon

He has joined United Resources Party Leader, William Duma, and Powes Parkop, Leader of the Social Democratic Party.

In a joint statement, the group said: “Our coalition of Parties and Independent Members of Parliament have agreed to support a PNC-led Government form the Tenth Parliament of Papua New Guinea.

“Following the 2017 National General Election, PNC has recorded the highest number of Members-elect, and is on-track to have the highest number of Members in this Parliament.