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TVNZ/ Pacnews
Wed, 14 May 2008
PORT MORESBY, PNG ---- Papua New Guinea's (PNG) Prime Minister Michael Somare said he “erroneously signed” documents terminating a finance inquiry into an estimated 1 billion kina (US$372 million) missing from the public purse, reports TVNZ.
Sir Michael yesterday told PNG's parliament he wanted “to clear misconceptions” and “misleading media coverage" that he stopped the inquiry after an interim report's "not only staggering but frightening” findings.
“While the interim report does not discuss specific cases it does highlight certain anomalies that should be of concern to all of us,” he said.
Sir Michael said he “erroneously signed” documents stopping the inquiry “during my haste preparing to go to Wewak,” his home town in PNG's Sepik Province on the northeast coast.
“My regret is having placed too much trust in the professionalism and accuracy of the public service,” he said.
Sir Michael said he wanted to temporarily suspend the inquiry for more time to read the interim report thoroughly.
“The (signed) suspension did not reflect this,” he said. “I have every confidence that the reconstituted commission of inquiry with the two additional commissioners, increased staff and better funding arrangements will accomplish its task within the time frame given,” he said.
The inquiry that started in August 2006 was not a waste of money, would soon restart and would be tabled in parliament when complete, he said.
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