Marape must investigate Duma, says Transparency
16 February 2020
NEWS DESK
| Transparency International PNG
PORT MORESBY - TIPNG is calling for the prime minister and relevant Papua New Guinean agencies to investigate what appear to be serious allegations of grand corruption against state minister William Duma, as reported in the Australian Financial Review.
As parliament prepares to convene its first sitting of the year, TIPNG urges prime minister Marape to live by his words that he will fight corruption and that the example must now start with his own cabinet.
“When the Manumanu land deal allegations first surfaced in 2017, TIPNG supported the former Prime Minister’s call for an investigation and in the interest of good governance, that Mr Duma must step down as minister until he is cleared,” said TIPNG Chairman, Peter Aitsi.
“We now hear of similar allegations involving the setting up of shell companies and the purported abuse of office to enrich certain individuals, all at the expense of the people of Papua New Guinea.”
TIPNG now maintains the same call to prime minister Marape, that the minister at the centre of this report must be directed to step down and a proper independent investigation into the allegations must be undertaken immediately.
Given the transaction involved US dollars and an Australian listed company, there is prospect for the PNG Police and anti-corruption agencies to work closely with the Australian Federal Police, the US Securities Exchange Commission and the US Department of Justice to investigate the evidence exposed by the Australian Financial Review.
The main question that needs to be asked is why a company with only K2 capital, was set up days before being granted a petroleum licence; before selling this same license to an international petroleum company for US$10.3 million (K36 million) shortly thereafter.
Most importantly who is the behind this company? Who are its beneficiaries? And what role did they play?
TIPNG believes that failure by prime minister Marape to act on principles of good governance will only embolden corrupted individuals and networks to continue their activities.
While there are certain distinctions from the Manumanu land scandal, as the matter involves a foreign firm and petroleum licenses, the principles of proper governance and accountability of public office must still apply.
The use of shell companies and opaque company structures demonstrates the need for legislating a beneficial ownership registry through the PNG Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative.
Heightening the scrutiny of beneficial ownership through the activation of the PNGEITI processes will assist in improving transparency in licensing and revenue flows from major resource projects.
TIPNG reminds prime minister James Marape of his various statements declaring his commitment to fight corruption, the time for talking is over.
The people of PNG now need action, before new projects like P’nyang and others meet the same fate.
From James Marape today:
"In the journey to put in systems in place to further address fighting corruption in our country, today 90 parliamentarians ( including four opposition MPs ) took note of ICAC and passed to Permanent Parliamentary Committee on Constitutional Laws and Acts and Subordinate Legislation.
"This should take two months and then we should be good to go.
"Same 90 Honorable Leaders voted the whistle blowers act to protect witnesses who will testify against corruption practitioners.
"I thank the MPs, many time our citizens complain of their lack of action , but they are working here.
"Parliamentarians are doing our job by passing relevant laws, it is now up to those of you with evidences of corruption to rise above fear, wantok system, nepotism , bribery , hearsay. Politics etc and report corruption and assist prosecuting corruption.
"Personally I look forward to ICAC functioning and relate positively with police and ombudsman going into the future. We will appoint credible non PNGeans and known corruption fighters in PNG into ICAC to make it work.
"I know I will not be PM for ever but my colleagues and I in parliament want to leave behind a safer political and public service system for our country going forward.
"That’s the least we can do. Below is the list of MPs who supported ICAC and Whistle blowers Act, which is presently championed by our hardworking AG and Justice Minister who presented these laws. Deputy Speaker presided over the proceedings."
"By: Prime Minister Hon James Marape MP
Dated: Tuesday, 18th February 2020"
William Duma voted for the new Whistleblowers Act.
Posted by: Philip Fitzpatrick | 18 February 2020 at 05:54 PM
This is where the rubber hits the road.
Let's see how much Taking back PNG really means to those that peddle this line.
Posted by: David Kitchnoge | 17 February 2020 at 11:48 PM
William Duma is well known in the oil and gas industry.
Wining and dining him was a necessary precursor for anyone seeking a petroleum licence.
That he has now been made minister for commerce and industry beggars belief.
It also blows out of the water the rhetoric of the Marape government regarding tackling corruption.
Posted by: Philip Fitzpatrick | 17 February 2020 at 11:20 AM
How far 'up the creek' can a ship of state be based?
Even 'The National' newspaper reckoned this a sad story
"...a political decision that will or may shape the faith of the Government..."
See: https://www.thenational.com.pg/lands-minister-fault-manumanu-deal-2/
For readers new to the saying: "Up the creek without a paddle [means] someone that has got themself in a spot of trouble, or done something wrong with no way of undoing it, in a quandary"
See: http://www.cosmicadventure.com/fun/slang.htm
Sorry, not funny.
Posted by: Lindsay F Bond | 17 February 2020 at 06:34 AM
Horizon Oil hired disgraced lobbyist in PNG
Angus Grigg and Jemima Whyte
Feb 15, 2020 — 12.08am
Horizon Oil, the ASX-listed company at the centre of corruption allegations in Papua New Guinea, hired a lobbyist who was found guilty of stealing public money and openly talked about providing favours to the then petroleum minister.
Documents obtained by AFR Weekend show Horizon retained Sir Moi Avei, a former PNG petroleum minister and deputy prime minister, after he was dismissed from parliament.
Sir Moi was found guilty in May 2007 on three counts of "misconduct in office" after depositing $110,000 of funds earmarked for rural infrastructure projects into his bank account.
Despite the guilty verdict, Sir Moi was hired two years later by Horizon to lobby then petroleum minister William Duma, who was holding up the company's licence approvals and transfers.
“I've been helping Minister Duma out for the past six weeks because the LNG project is in my backyard," he wrote to Horizon's then chief executive Brent Emmett in November 2009.
"You know how the system works ‘you scratch my back and I scratch yours
Posted by: Robert L Parer CMG MBE | 16 February 2020 at 03:54 PM