Hired chopper allegedly misused

A helicopter hired for Oro disaster was used by senior officials for a picnic trip has come under fire from sectors of the Oro community.
The helicopter, an Islands Aviation aircraft, was allegedly used by the executive officer to the controller of State of Emergency, a hotel manager in Popondetta and other officials for a trip from Popondetta to Aioma for a picnic last Sunday.
Eye witnesses told The National that the “officials packed their eskies with meat and drinks and flew out to Aioma for a picnic and returned four to five hours later”.
Ijivitari MP David Arore, who witnessed the whole saga, has called for an immediate investigation to be conducted into what he called “gross abuse”.
“I demand an investigation into the pleasure trip,” a frustrated Mr Arore said yesterday.
“People are suffering and really in need of assistance while some people are riding on the people’s suffering to have fun.”
Mr Arore has called on controller Col Vagi Oala to conduct an immediate investigation on this matter.
“Who is paying for the fuel of such a pleasure trip? How can people in responsible position take advantage of the people’s suffering? We need immediate answers, and those involved must be held accountable for the actions,” Mr Arore said.
He said people in some parts of the flood-devastated province were awaiting relief supplies of food and water while the helicopter that could be used to transport relief supplies were abused by people charged with the responsibility to help the victims.
Col Oala, when contacted yesterday, said the allegations were “misconstrued” and asked the MP to check with him first.
He, however, confirmed that the helicopter did go to Aioma but it was a private arrangement paid for by Islands Aviation, whose pilot had left behind some of his personal items including his mobile phone in a previous trip.
He said the trip was at no cost to the disaster relief operations.
Col Oala said this was on the Christmas weekend and he was aware of the trip and the officer, who happened to be there that time, went for a ride.
“If the MP is worried about this, he should be investigated for breaking into a rice container, engaging police as if it was his private organisation and the allegations of him distributing food to his own people,” Col Oala said.