PORT MORESBY: The Opposition has blasted the Attorney General Ano Pala for allegedly interfering in the process of awarding the Supreme and National Court House Building contract in an attempt to have the contract awarded to a ‘preferred company’ at a cost of a massive K459 million. “It is highly deplorable that the Minister, who is facing criminal charges, has been trying to coerce and influence the Chief Justice to support a contractor closely associated with the ruling PNC party and Prime Minister Peter O’Neill. “I will not only refer this matter to the Ombudsman Commission but also take it to the Courts,” said Opposition Leader Don Pomb Polye. He said Mr Pala was not a ‘fit and proper person to occupy the office of Attorney General as his personal integrity is in question.’ “No wonder he has been involved in reckless and unconventional deeds like this only to suit political expediency of his Prime Minister and that of the Party which he is a part,” he said. Polye queried why a costly bidder should be preferred against cheaper bids as shown by government documents. The lowest bidder which happened to be a company with a proven track record offered a figure of K427 million which is cheaper by a massive K32 million. Clearly, Papua New Guinea will be K32 million poorer while some body will be K32 Million richer. “Enough is enough; this sort of plain robbery is paralyzing this beautiful nation of ours. “I have already written a letter to the Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia, warning him that he should avoid any attempt by politicians to draw him into the procurement process, and to support the recommendations of the Central Supply and Tenders Board. “I feel for the members of the Judiciary who are faced with the unfortunate situation where they have to be working under a Minister who has been criminally charged and a Prime Minister who is also on the run from the law. “I am extremely concerned that the Prime Minister and the Attorney General have been pressuring the Chief Justice to recommend the award of the contract to L&A Construction purely on the basis of their interests and associations with that particular company. We all know that L&A is a tile merchant and home furniture company and not a building contractor. It has no experience in a major undertaking like the one in issue,” he said. He said he also delivered copies of the letter to the Transparency International PNG, Ombudsman Commission, Attorney-General and the Prime Minister. “I have noted from official documents that the Minister met with the Chief Justice on two separate occasions regarding the construction of the new court complex in Waigani,” he said. Polye however, commended the Office of the Chief Justice for its hard work to progress the much-needed development of the Supreme and National Court complex in Waigani. “The iconic infrastructure will provide a modern court facility which is not only designed to meet the highest international standards but also provide a modern, integrated court complex for the People of Papua New Guinea,” he said. The Opposition Leader, however, said the National Executive Council submission in awarding a contract for the construction of the building is based on the Supply and Tenders Board submission which is based on careful and professional technical and financial assessment by professionals. “The bureaucratic process of the evaluation of the technical committee and the office of the Central Suppliers and Tenders Boards (CSTB) has shortlisted three bidders, which were recommended to the cabinet. The recommendations are in order of preference with the first company meeting all requirements including price. “Therefore, the Justice Minister Ano Pala and the Prime Minister Peter O’Neill must not try to interfere or coerce the Chief Justice to make recommendations to any contractors that are closely associated with the Prime Minister and his PNC Party,” he said. Meanwhile, the Opposition has urged the Ombudsman Commission to intervene directly on the case involving Attorney General Ano Pala to protect the integrity of the office he occupies. Pala was arrested and charged but out on bail performing duties of an Attorney General. His actions are seen to be questionable as it brings public doubt to the office of the Attorney General. Opposition Leader Don Pomb Polye last month, called on the Prime Minister either to sack or ask Pala to resign from being the AG, pending his contempt of court or perversion of course of justice case. “If the Minister is still reluctant to stand aside immediately, the Ombudsman Commission ought to step in and direct him to do so. “His actions have not only brought his personal integrity into question but the integrity of the office of the Attorney General as well,” said Mr Polye. If the Prime Minister, he said, does not decommission his Attorney General, the Ombudsman Commission also needs to take similar action against the Prime Minister. He added the Minister’s failure to step aside presents a serious conflict of interest, not only on his part but also on the part of members of the judiciary who will be presiding over his case. “As leaders, we must always resign when our personal integrity is in question or our official conduct is questioned, in order that our names are properly cleared by competent authorities,” he said. He said the leaders have a duty to ‘our people to ensure that their government and its institutions’ maintain the highest standards of dignity and decorum. Mr Polye further said he had set the record straight when he asked his MPs within the Triumph Heritage Empowerment party to step down. He cited both Kikori MP Mark Maipakai and Ijivitari MP David Arore ( then THE party member) who stepped down when they had cases to answer in the courts. Mr Polye said he also surrendered voluntarily to the fraud police for the record of interview when he was alleged to have been involved in the Paraka case. “It is indeed a complete joke for the chief legal officer of the country to be charged for interfering with a legal or judicial process as it is the responsibility of the Attorney General to protect and safeguard the rule of law. “His refusal to step aside is not only a very serious matter but the Prime Minister’s failure to decommission him is a very serious matter as well,” said a concerned Polye. He said the Attorney General is the Minister responsible for the entire judicial system and that he has a ministerial responsibility over the courts, which are going to deal with or hear his case. "It is only proper that he must step aside for the judiciary to deal with his matter without fear or favor. Apprehension of bias is very real here and Attorney General as the chief Law Officer of the land knows that too well," he said.
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