CURTAIN BROTHERS’ UNJUST ENRICHMENT AT THE EXPENSE OF TAXPAYERS OF PNG

by GREG WAIYAP
The XV Pacific Games celebrations are over and now we have to get back to business. Among the debriefing, a reconciliation of public funds spent on the various infrastructures will undoubtedly be carried out in due course. Though many unlearned Papua New Guineans naively celebrated the scenic modern infrastructures, the thinking ones held back their emotions as they rationalise the net benefit gained for the overly priced two weeks event.  

It is open secret that many of the companies involved in the construction of the Pacific Games facilities doubled, tripled or even quadrupled the price of those projects. Variations were approved in millions of kina. Whilst many facilitates were completed just before the games, one company that has let Papua New Guineans down big time is Curtain Brothers, owned by Townsville Based businessman Sir Mick Curtain.

This company was contracted to construct the Sir Hubert Murray Stadium at Konedobu. At some stage of the project, Curtain Brothers were complaining about not having the funds to complete the project. It is understood the State through the NEC approved a substantial tax rebate (believed to be 150%). Despite the generous tax incentive and numerous unjustified variations, the project was not completed on time. We had no choice but to host the games there in embarrassment. You need to just drive through and see the amount of work still pending completion.

Zooming further, Curtain Brothers were also contracted to complete the Paga Hill ring road before the games which they promised to deliver on time. It is believed the National Capital District Commission paid double the price of the road to get it ready. Still the road has not been completed and has come to an abrupt stop.    

Now Curtain Brothers is believed to be negotiating with the Government to sell its “dry dock” (not a wharf) at the Motukea for almost a billion kina. The controversial sale is believed to be overly inflated. Given the exorbitant value of the land, it was believed that the sale would be for the entire Motukea estate owned by Curtain Brothers. However, according to a recent report by the Townsville Bulletin, Sir Mick is quoted as saying “Curtain Bros hoped to sell a small part of the port ­development”. See http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/business/png-government-to-buy-part-of-curtain-bros-motukea-island-port/story-fnjfzyqo-1227354785277
One wonders how much is this small portion worth? How much are the taxpayers paying for this dry dock?
Can the authorities including Police Fraud Squad and Task-Force Sweep investigate this company and deal with those who are unjustly enriching themselves in broad daylight?

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