by Jack Lapauve Jr – EM TV News, Port Moresby
Opposition leader, Don Polye, is upset over the decision to indefinitely close Ok Tedi Mining Limited.
Polye said in light of the government’s revenue constraints, the downturn in mineral prices should not become an excuse.
Mr Polye said this would see revenue cuts in the budget, and major government policies like the health care and free fee education be affected.
Meanwhile, the Opposition Leader has called on the government to refrain from cutting down the 2015 Budgetary Appropriations on adhoc basis.
He says the appropriate way to do this is by way of introducing a supplementary budget, which paves way to revise the 2015 Budget.
In the meantime, the Opposition leader said the government’should adhere to all the industrial processes to ensure the employees are fully compensated.
“The welfare of their families including their children’s education should take precedence over any corporate decisions.
“OTML contributes about 5.5 per cent in Gross Domestic Product, or millions of kina in taxes and so are its employees,” Mr Polye said.
