Minister for Public Enterprises, Sir Mekere Morauta, said today the
chief executive of Telikom, Peter Loko, had been suspended pending
investigations into large-scale unauthorised contracts and commitments by the
corporation.
“Evidence obtained by IPBC during audits of all public enterprises
indicates that Telikom illegally entered into numerous contracts involving the
payment or receipt of more than K1 billion,” Sir Mekere said.
“Telikom was required by law to seek approval from the Treasurer in
accordance with section 45B of the IPBC Act. It did not do so.
“It is the CEO’s responsibility to ensure approvals are
sought, which is why he is suspended.
"The investigation will also seek to establish whether
the Telikom board was aware that the requirement for ministerial approvals
appeared to have been routinely ignored.
“These are very serious matters and require thorough investigation.
“People are entitled to know what happened to their money, and I will
provide details of the results of the investigation to Parliament.”
Sir Mekere said the failure by Telikom to seek approvals and to fully
inform the Treasurer of its financial dealings had placed Telikom in financial
difficulty.
It now requires very substantial public funding to save it from
insolvency.
“Let us be very clear – the operation of the national telecommunication
system and thousands of jobs have been put at risk,” Sir Mekere said.
He said the worst example of financial illegality was the unauthorised borrowing
of K340 million from two banks, of which K200m has been drawn down.
Telikom is unable to repay the capital (it is repaying on the basis of
interest-only) and is asking the Government to bail it out. The banks are also
asking the Government to guarantee the loan.
Even worse, a Telikom document from some time ago states
that the K200 million “...has not yielded enhanced revenues because the capex
programs have not been taken to their logical conclusion”. In other words, K200
million of borrowed money has been spent, without the required approval, and without
yet producing any revenue for Telikom.
“Too many public enterprises are flouting the law, with disastrous consequences for the nation,”
Sir Mekere said.
“The law is there to
protect taxpayers’ funds and the national interest, and I will not hesitate to
pursue public officials and others who do not comply with the law.”
This matter is suppose to go before the Public Accounts Committee to really bring to light. The CEO is suppose to be grilled when auditor general's office has done its annual audits. Why did not this issue surface earlier until it is now too late. This will surely affect the rate payers dearly. Let the investigation proceed.
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Clean em all up Sir Mek - people, parasites, briefcase carriers, cobwebs, the whole lot!!!
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