By AUGUSTINE KINNA
The seven missing people lost at sea from the Autonomous Region of Bougainville who were found in the islands of Milne Bay are reported to be stranded in the province with no funds to get them back to Bougainville.
According to the acting executive manager for Buka district Joseph Kaipu, his office and the Bougainville administration is now working around the clock trying to coordinate and secure funds to get the seven back to the region.
He said he talked to Nissan Island executive manager George Tarala in Misima, who was also amongst the group lost at sea.
Mr Kaipu said the seven were well and want to come back home as soon as possible.
“At the moment, I have already arranged their tickets from Misima to Port Moresby, then to Buka,” Mr Kaipu said.
He said he was hoping to get the seven people back into the region by the end of the month.
Mr Kaipu added that accommodation and other cost in Misima and Port Moresby would be taken care of by the Bougainville administration and so far they have submitted the costs to the finance office to take action.
He said currently, processing of funds by the finance office was holding up time due to the fact that an officer, who is a signatory to authorise the cheques of accounts, was still not at work.
“This is the only problem that we are facing but once the officer arrives and authorises the cheques, they will then start processing the payment and arrange the return mission for the seven stranded in Misima,” Mr Kaipu said.