by MICHAEL J. PASSINGAN
The National Gaming Control Board under the watch of Peter O’Neill in 2012 acted as an extra cash dispenser for the government and its allies.
The office, established in 1995 to regulate a fledgling industry, was brought about by the passing of the Gaming Machine Act (1993). Poker machine gaming began in May of 1995 after its introduction was approved by parliament through a Private Members Bill in 1994.
Since then, the industry has grown rapidly to become a major revenue earner for the state. In the two decades (1995-2015) since its inception, over 2.3 Billion Kina has flowed through the NGCB coffers.
The then General Secretary of People’s National Congress Party, JONATHAN O’ATA, wrote to the Prime Minister’s First Secretary MR ELLIOT TABUA with a list of names on the 18th of April 2012 presenting him with Project Applications from 30 Pro PNC Candidates two months away from the issue of Writs. Mike Eddie at that time was the NGCB chairman who had requested the names from O’ata and it appeared to be a coordinated effort by PNC to flush out cash to its candidates just before the elections.
Listed are names of fake projects with the applicants name and the amount. In all a total of K6952344.53 nearly K7 Million kina illegally paid to People’s National Alliance Candidates in 2012.
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The office, established in 1995 to regulate a fledgling industry, was brought about by the passing of the Gaming Machine Act (1993). Poker machine gaming began in May of 1995 after its introduction was approved by parliament through a Private Members Bill in 1994.
Since then, the industry has grown rapidly to become a major revenue earner for the state. In the two decades (1995-2015) since its inception, over 2.3 Billion Kina has flowed through the NGCB coffers.
The then General Secretary of People’s National Congress Party, JONATHAN O’ATA, wrote to the Prime Minister’s First Secretary MR ELLIOT TABUA with a list of names on the 18th of April 2012 presenting him with Project Applications from 30 Pro PNC Candidates two months away from the issue of Writs. Mike Eddie at that time was the NGCB chairman who had requested the names from O’ata and it appeared to be a coordinated effort by PNC to flush out cash to its candidates just before the elections.
Listed are names of fake projects with the applicants name and the amount. In all a total of K6952344.53 nearly K7 Million kina illegally paid to People’s National Alliance Candidates in 2012.
