The Papua New Guinea Supreme Court has permitted Attorney-General Pila Niningi to join as a party in the Constitutional reference initiated by the Opposition, which challenges the funding and execution of the Connect PNG programme. The reference seeks clarification on the allocation of almost K2 billion for the road programme from April 2021 to the present. The Government allocated K786 million in 2023 and K628 million in 2022. Justice Derek Hartshorn, sitting in a single Supreme Court bench, approved Niningi’s request to intervene, noting his involvement in the Opposition's reference. "The application by Niningi to intervene as a party is granted, and he shall file and serve his statements of response before the hearing on July 19," ordered Justice Hartshorn. "Cost is incidental."
On June 5, Opposition Leader Douglas Tomuriesa submitted an application under section 18(1) of the Constitution, asking the Supreme Court to provide a proper interpretation of all funds allocated by the Government for the Connect PNG Programme. On June 28, Niningi, represented by his lawyer Nathan Palem Onom, filed a request to participate in the reference. Onom contended that intervention was necessary as the issues raised would impact the rights and interests of the National Executive Council. The reference mainly addresses payments made by the Government through the Department of Works and National Highways (DoWH) to specific service providers for the programme, allegedly bypassing the programme’s mandatory guidelines. These payments include:
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