Lelang urges govt for solutions

The PNG Leader of the Opposition, Hon Joseph Lelang, MP is questioning the Marape-Rosso Government on its immediate and long-term solutions to resolve the public sector rental crisis being experienced by numerous key government departments in Port Moresby.He said millions of kina has been allocated to address arrears and outstanding claims each year by Parliament through the budget, but why has rental arrears remained unattended to??Lelang said paying rental bills is a very basic obligation to operate the public service machinery.The Nambawan Super Limited (NSL) acting as Trustee of the Nambawan Super Fund posted notices on its locked premises explaining their regretful position. The Opposition is concerned that despite extensive discussions with the State to settle the amounts owing, that the negotiations have failed due to the nonpayment of rentals.NSL is exercising its rights under law in taking the action to shock the government into action. Mr Lelang said: “The super fund is protecting its members. They (NSL) are merely redeeming money owing to their members.”The Opposition takes a grave view of the fact that PNG public servants are being locked out of offices. Lelang claimed that hundreds of ministerial staff have been advised that they would not be paid until November 2022. He said the Government must improve how it manages its cashflow line with the budget so that we don’t experience public servants and ministers getting locked out.