By LORRAINE WOHI
THE Royal Commission of Inquiry into the processes and procedures followed by the Government of Papua New Guinea in obtaining the off-shore loan from the Union Bank of Switzerland (UBS) and related transactions will commence hearing tomorrow to present evidence relating to the issue of the loan.
The announcement of the hearing came after the commission has recieved part one of the witnesses evidence which is the discussion and background information regarding the government policy and strategies and some of the decisions that has been made in the investiment and participation of State owned Enterprise and the participation in private enterprise.
The commission will be led by the former Chief Justice and Chairman of the inquiry Sir Salamo Injia together with Commissioner, Margaret White.
Sir Salamo said some of the information regarding the findings goes back to the period leading up to independence and after the independence.
“We have a number of witnesses for tomorrow and Wednesday. Some of these witness documents are from our founding fathers including the late Sir Michael Somare who have left some information and documents with us few days before his passing,” Sir Salamo said.
The hearing will be done in two different locations. Sir Salamo will facilitate the hearing in Port Moresby while Commissioner Margaret White will facilitate the witness evidence in Brisbane, Australia.
“The hearing of the witness evidence from these two different locations will be broadcast live for the people to see and hear.
“Some of the witnesses will be situated in the hearing venue in Brisbane before Commissioner Margaret White while I will facilitate the hearing in Port Moresby,” the former Chief Justice reiterated.
The hearing will aslo be assisted by Senior Council Dr. James Remwick and two other Australian council, Dr Dominic Kateer and Mr Levente Jerth.
The Commisssion wil be hearing evidence relating to:
- Investment in State-owned Enterprises;
- The State’s participation in private enterprise, and
- Methods of financing such investment or participation.
The hearing will be open to public and the media, subject to the COVID requirements.