NUMBERS GAME VS MIND GAMES WITH PM

By RENATA LAVEIL

We have a very deflective and directive Prime Minister at the ‘helm’ of this country, by now most Papua New Guineans are not blind to the tactics used by O’Neill to downplay any question or issue that is put to him, especially questions regarding money.

Yesterday, he openly denied in parliament the government having issued any bonds totalling K500 million as alleged by the Opposition Leader, Hon. Belden Namah during his Budget response.
In an article dated 17th April 2013, on the Business Advantage it was reported that the Papua New Guinea Government was apparently exploring the option of US Dollar bond to help finance its deficit budget.

According to International sources the PNG govt engaged Barclays, J.P Morgan and BNP Paribas to assist with possible bond issue which should raise as much as US$ 500m (K1, 199 million est.) allegedly for the government coffers.

While it could not be confirmed when the PNG government’s proposal to expand to the international market eventuates, the deputy Secretary at PNG’s Treasury Department told Business Advantage that his department was exploring all options for capital raising.
Bank of PNG governor assured the government that there was sufficient liquidity in local markets to fund the deficit; however ANZ Chief Economist Warren Hogan supported PNG to go to international markets. http://www.businessadvantagepng.com/dollar-bond-issue-for-png/

To support that in another article dated February 25th 2013, on the Asiamoney.com, the PNG government had already mandated 3 banks to run the country’s first US dollar-denominated issue; Barclay, JP Morgan and BNP Paribus.

http://www.asiamoney.com/Article/3159281/UPDATED-Papua-New-Guinea-mandates-banks-for-sovereign-bond.html?ArticleId=3159281

In his statement yesterday in response to the Opposition Leaders 2014 budget response, the Prime Minister outwardly denied that there were any issuance of bonds totalling K500 million, Come on just come out and say that there were possibly plans to get around to doing that at one instance?
Why do we always face the same type of reaction from the Prime Minister every single time a question is put to him regarding any case weighing heavily with corruption?

Why cannot he answer simply to the point instead of ‘smooth talking’ his way out of every corner; saying something and doing the exact opposite?

Take for example the Travel Moratorium imposed by the government at the behest of Peter O’Neill and agreed on by National Executive Council in which candidates earmarked in that moratorium were Government ministers, Heads of Departments, Government Agencies, Statutory Bodies and Provincial Administrators; Government Circular No 01/ 2013.

The irony of the whole deal is that we read about Head of Departments, CEO’s and government agents or personnel taking lengthy and most often than not unnecessary trips overseas under pretence of going for the purpose of ‘Fact Finding’ mission.

The last and much loved trip by PNG Power Ltd delegation, headed by Minister for State Owned Enterprises Ben Micah and CEO Mr John Tangit to Iceland via a trip to Israel entourage with Peter O’Neill to sign an agreement on geothermal power which Mr O’Neill said was completely unnecessary, all the while Lae and Port Moresby were facing complete blackout.

The prime minister was reported as ‘fuming mad’ perfectly painted as mad as a kettle at its boiling point with pointed remarks as ‘heads will roll’; what’s new? Up till now we haven’t seen any heads rolling;

He said, “Let’s be realistic”, well be ‘realistic’ and explain why they were in that entourage with you to Israel in the first place.

When asked recently in the last session in parliament a question relating to the management of funds and trust funds under PNG Sustainable Development Program by Mr Namah; he pointedly and cunningly twists the smoking guns back at the Opposition Leader taunting and making the demeaning suggestion of requesting the Speaker to appoint two psychiatrists through the Parliamentary Privileges Committee to analyse the Leader.

What is wrong with giving straight answers anymore in the Parliament house? Why the lying and deception and taunting to divert attention to the enquirer?

Quite recently he has recognised the rising power of Social Media and the internet and is possibly scheming up plans to diminish the lights that are starting to burn his eyes.

Taken from the Masalai blog site, the Prime Minister took a swipe at Social Media rubbishing the fast emerging medium. According to the same site, it stated that in September Digicel announced that an estimated 1.5 million Papua New Guineans have phones that connect to the internet. So I wish the Prime Minister luck in trying to take on social media.

Well all the best in all his endeavors in trying to take on those fighting against corruption because the nation is not blind anymore.

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