Police Commissioner, David Manning has issued a directive to the Bank of Papua New Guinea (BPNG) to immediately facilitate foreign currency exchange to Puma Energy for them to purchases of crude oil and refined petroleum products. Mr. Manning issued the directive under the Commissioner’s function as the Controller, under the National Pandemic Act, which is still in force as the PNG economy continues the long recovery from this period. “As Police Commissioner and Controller, I have a responsibility, on behalf of the government and our people, to intervene so as to prevent harm being pushed upon our people because two major organizations are unable to resolve their differences.” “The economic damage caused by the global pandemic still lingers and in my capacity, I will not let this disagreement between BPNG and Puma set back our recovery. “These are big organizations that should both have systems in place to prevent their disputes escalating to the point of costing livelihoods and lives. “When fuel supplies are reduced or cut, medicines cannot be transported, ambulance operations are hindered, businesses have to send workers home and food does not get to market.” The Commissioner said energy security is central to economic stability and public safety, so the government has taken action to overcome an unacceptable situation created between high level executives of the two organizations involved. “In consultation with the Prime Minister and the Minister for Internal Security, I have issued this direction to BPNG, and their compliance is mandated by law, while Puma must now do the right thing and end rationing. “Puma must immediately put an end to fuel rationing, restore fuel supplies from current stocks that are in the country and make urgent delivery of additional supplies. “With their global reach, Puma can have urgent re-supply so there can be no excuses on their part for not immediately ending the rationing. Mr. Manning said it is imperative that BPNG and Puma put in place processes, so that the current fuel rationing situation cannot happen again. Manning added that this isn’t the first-time people have been held to ransom over this foreign exchange matter between BPNG and Puma.