8 Jan 2007

PNG Ombudsman concerned by new laws governing National Capital District Commission

11:17 am on 8 January 2007

The Papua New Guinea Ombudsman Commission has described new amendments to the laws governing the National Capital District Commission (NCDC) as defective and in opposition to the spirit of the constitution.

There is a nationwide campaign underway led by the local branch of Transparency International, the PNG Media Council and the churches to collect signatures and petition all MPs in PNG's parliament to revoke the amendments which were sponsored by the ruling National Alliance Party.

Concern has been expressed by civil society as well as the public that the new amendments made the NCDC more vulnerable to corruption and nepotism.

The new amendments were sponsored as a Private Members' Bill by NCD Regional MP Wari Vele during last November's sitting of Parliament.

Vele is a member of Prime Minister, Sir Michael Somare's National Alliance Party.