PRIME MINISTERS OFFICE

MEDIA UNIT

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PM RECEIVES INTERIM REPORT OF COI INTO SABL For Release Thursday 14th March, 2013
Prime Minister Peter ONeill today (14/03/13) received the Interim Report of the Commission of Inquiry into the Special Agricultural and Business Leases (SABL). He received the report from the Chief Commissioner, John Numapo; Commissioner Alois Jerewai and Commissioner Nicholas Mirou in the presence of the Chief Secretary to Government, Manasupe Zurenuoc, at his Parliament Office. I have been seriously concerned about the circumstances surrounding the issue of many SABLs and like many members of the public was looking forward to receiving the Report from the Commission of Inquiry, Mr ONeill said. He said the Commission of Inquiry was asked to inquire into the legal authority and procedures for issuing SABLs as well as to examine the particulars of all SABLs issued and the circumstances surrounding their issue. The Commission found that 72 SABLs had been issued, spread over much the country, Mr ONeill confirmed. He said the interim report covers only some of the terms of reference, the report outlines the legal authority and processes for issuing SABLs and provides an assessment of the legal and policy framework. The report does not deal with the particulars of individual SABLs or the circumstances surrounding their issue. There are over 72 SABLs to examine. This is a huge task and the commission has informed me that the details of these individual leases will be dealt with in the final report. I expect to receive the final report in two months time, Mr ONeill said The Prime Minister said despite not having a final report, this interim report already comes to a number of important conclusions and foreshadows serious failings within a number of Government Departments.

Dept. of Prime Minister & NEC, PO Box 639, Waigani, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

He also said some Departments have fundamentally misunderstood their role and the legal requirements. In other instances, the agency has simply failed to administer the law and applicants and developers have enjoyed a free run, the Prime Minister said. He said that he would be tabling the Interim Report in the next session of Parliament and will be announcing a number of measures that he will be taking immediately to improve the integrity of the public service. I also expect the public service to start performing its basic functions and those officers who cannot or will not deliver will be asked to leave, Mr ONeill said. This interim report is the first part and covers the legislative and governance aspect of the entire inquiry. The second part will deal with the more than 72 inquiries into the SABLs spread across the country.

HON. PETER ONEILL, CMG MP Prime Minister

Dept. of Prime Minister & NEC, PO Box 639, Waigani, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea