PNG splurges on Bentley limos for Apec summit in latest spending row in poverty-stricken nation
Government’s controversial order follows outrage over its earlier purchase of 40 Maseratis for the same event
Papua New Guinea has reportedly bought three Bentley limousines to use at an Asia-Pacific summit next month, in a move set to rev-up further outrage after the purchase of 40 Maseratis for the same event.
The Bentley Flying Spur luxury cars ordered for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Port Moresby cost more than A$320,000 (US$228,000) each, the Australian newspaper reported.
It said the cars were en route to the poverty-stricken Melanesian nation by sea, publishing an invoice purportedly detailing the purchase from a Malaysian company, South Pacific Ventures.
Prime Minister Peter O’Neill is already under fire after splurging US$6.4 million on the fleet of Maseratis to chauffeur dignitaries around Port Moresby, where half the population live in squatter settlements.
Critics say the money could have been better spent dealing with chronic social problems in a developing nation where diseases such as polio and TB have recently re-emerged.
Opposition lawmakers are threatening a national strike over the issue, saying it symbolised government corruption.
