Nomane urges ‘war room’ response to PNG grey-listing

Opposition Leader James Nomane has issued a five-step ultimatum to the Government, demanding a 'holistic approach' to rescue Papua New Guinea from the Financial Action Task Force [FATF] grey-list.

Nomane, speaking on behalf of the Opposition as a concerned party, said the state cannot resolve the international labeling on its own. He says the nation’s removal from the list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring requires immediate, coordinated intervention across all sectors.

“The government must act now to show that it is absolutely serious,” Nomane said, outlining a strategy centered on executive accountability and legislative urgency.

He said the first step is to establish a national FATF command centre under the direct authority of the Prime Minister.

"A war room approach, daily meetings, strict deadlines and full inter-agency coordination. This must be the Prime Minister's number one priority," Nomane said.

The second approach is to fast track all legislative corrections demanded by FATF.

"Beneficial ownership transparency, supervision of high-risk sectors and enforcement powers must be strengthened without delay. This will require immediate reforms, legislation and a recall of Parliament in February to enact legislation pertaining to grey-listing."

According to Nomane, the third move to potentially avoid grey-listing is to build real enforcement capacity, and not paper reforms.

"FIU, Police, ICAC, Customs and the prosecutor's office must receive specialised financial crime units, modern tools and operational independence," he said.

He said the government needs to deliver visible results that FATF can measure.

"Investigations, prosecutions, asset recovery, tangible outcomes, not workshops or policy papers."

The Opposition leaders says the fifth step is a coordinated international technical assistance with discipline and purpose.

"APG, OSTRAC, IMF and others must be aligned under one national action plan, not scattered across agencies."