payback

Baing’s payout probed

PM homes in on K18m for navaids project

PRIME Minister Sir Michael yesterday announced a full investigation into a K18 million payment made by Markham MP Andrew Baing when he was Fisheries Minister.
It is believed the payment was made to construction company Coecon Limited by Mr Baing to install shipping navigation equipment in all maritime provinces.
Sir Michael said in Parliament yesterday he was not happy when members of Parliament continued to attack him and his family on the floor of Parliament for being involved in deals which were “non-existent’’.
He had ordered a full investigation of the payment of state money by Mr Baing to Coecon. The findings would be available to Parliament in two weeks.
He said the investigation would identify all those who were involved and those adversely implicated would be “referred to proper authorities for further action’’.
Sir Michael called on Mr Baing and Alotau MP Isaac Taitibe to substantiate allegations against him, adding he had referred Mr Baing and Mr Taitibe to the Ombudsman Commission to be investigated under the Leadership Code of Conduct.
Sir Michael was attacked in Parliament by Mr Baing last week for his role in the use of Papua New Guinea’s vast rainforest as carbons sinks — a possible revenue source for the country.
Sir Michael said he was not also aware of a Kevin Conrad who Mr Baing accused him of having a business relationship with.
“I am not aware of the allegations, especially those regarding the payment of K32 million and the previous business activities of Kevin Conrad,” Sir Michael said.
“I have no personal affiliation or connection with Mr Conrad in his past activities in PNG, which the Member for Markham Andrew Baing wants everyone to believe. My only connection with Mr Conrad is through the Carbon Trading seminar I addressed at the Columbia University, USA last month.”
He said he only knew Mr Conrad through the carbon trade issue which he was pushing.
The Prime Minister said the carbon trade issue had been ongoing and was first brought up by Sir Mekere Morauta when he was Prime Minister.
“I am just carrying on what was proposed before and I want to make sure that there is phase two of the Kyoto Protocol where rainforest countries are fairly compensated by industrialised countries,” Sir Michael said.
“I have for the first time put Papua New Guinea on the world map on this issue.”
He said the memorandum of agreement signed between the state and Pacific Capital Limited was to assist the Government in gathering information on the existing forests and the technicalities of working out carbon emissions and sequestration of sink formula. There was no financial deal involved.
The agreement states any specific project that might be developed for carbon trading will have to go through the normal approval process of the government, including the National Executive Council.