The PNG GOVERNMENT authorities will investigate what appears to be a scam by certain foreign individuals posing as project managers for big publications overseas.
These foreigners have approached various government departments and State-owned entities (SoEs) seeking financial support for positive publications they are doing for PNG to "change the very negative image of PNG abroad". They charge fees as high as EURO92,000 (about K250,000) for a full page advertisement in the "PNG Supplement" they are putting together for certain overseas newspapers. At least two groups have approached the Prime Minister’s office for a letter of support for their project. They intend to use the letter as proof of government support for their project when they knock on doors to solicit funds. The Immigration Department has no record of them entering the country as foreign journalists. In writing to government departments and SOEs seeking finance for their project, they do not produce Investment Promotion Authority approval documents, Labour Department approvals, or Internal Revenue Commission approvals to do business in PNG. "If they are in the country soliciting and procuring money for work they are doing, they must have the necessary approvals," one government source says. "If they don’t have the approvals, they are illegally in the country and certainly cannot be doing what they are doing." Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister Isaac Lupari recently placed public notices in the newspapers warning government departments, agencies, SOEs and business houses to be wary of such people. Mr Lupari, in a full page advertisement, cautioned government ministers, departments and agencies of the presence of these overseas agents who have so far costed the State almost K2.6 million over the past 12-months. "Prime Minister Peter O’Neill is very concerned with the influxes and conduct and activities of these agents and marketing representatives who are prowling the city of Port Moresby," Mr Lupari said. He said the circular was to alert all government agencies and officials of the activities of these agents and marketing representatives and to refrain from making any financial commitments until proper verification and due diligence is carried out on the credentials of these people or organisations they profess to represent. PNG Facts/ Post Courier Comments are closed.
|
Papua New Guinea Breaking NewsPapua New Guinea daily News updates Let Your Voice be heard: Submit your news articles, commentaries, letters , Photos, Media Releases etc to us on this email: pngfacts@gmail.com
Mining & PetroleumTop Links |