The Member for Bulolo, Sam Basil, accused Finance Minister, James Marape, of diverting District Services Improvement Program (DSIP) funds to a company from Hela.
He said the minister seemed to be giving prominence to this particular payment. The businessman accused in this case said on Tuesday afternoon confirming receiving the money, however, he denied its connection with DSIP. Michael Pai, the owner of the company who is also the Managing Director of PNG Power, said that the payment is an MOA funding for landowners of the PNG LNG project. A landowner from Hides Petroleum Development Licence 1 (PDL1) area, Mr Pai, confirmed receiving K2 million from the department. Mr. Pai was accused by member for Bulolo, Sam Basil, for cooperating with Finance Minister, James Marape, in diverting funds from the DSIP. Mr. Pai said he submitted a proposal in 2009 for funding under the government’s arrangement with the developer, to fund landowner companies. His company was registered to supply environment friendly electrical products as a spin off from the PNG LNG project. The payment was approved in 2010 by the expenditure implementation committee. However, in his accusation, Mr. Basil questioned the date of this payment and wanted the Minister to clarify the payment. Providing evidence of all correspondences between him and the Department of National Planning and Petroleum and Energy, Mr. Pai is adamant it went through the right process. He called on politicians in Morobe to work with him for the betterment of the province. PNG Facts / EMTV Comments are closed.
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