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Finance probes alleged contract
By ISAAC NICHOLAS
FINANCE Minister John Hickey said yesterday
that the Department of Finance is now investigating the alleged K9
million contract awarded to PNG Gardener, a company owned by TV
personality and former curator of National Botanical Garden, Justin
Tkatchenko.
Mr Hickey said he was not in the habit of allowing illegal approvals and
if the contract was found to be illegal, it would be stopped.
He was responding to questions from The National that the contract of K9
million was awarded to PNG Gardener, which exceeded the financial
delegation of the National Capital District Commission Board, which is
K100,000.
Such contracts are subject to approval from the Minister of Finance and
have to follow public tender procedures, and it seemed, that none had
happened including calling for a public tender.
The National had asked if the approval was sought and granted by the
minister and whether the proper tender process had being followed.
“The answer is no. I am not in the habit of allowing illegal
approvals. I intend to do so (investigate the contract).
“Just because the media has not bothered to contact me does not mean
that the Ministry and Department of Finance is doing nothing about this
matter,” he said.
Moresby South MP and Community Development Minister Dame Carol Kidu and
Moresby Northwest MP Sir Mekere Morauta had raised concerns about the
legality of the contract.
Both MPs are ex-officios on the NCDC Board but were not present at the
time of awarding the contract.
Although Dame Carol turned up very late for that meeting, she was not
told about it until she heard from sources.
Mr Tkatchenko had maintained that he followed the normal process when an
invitation to tender was made and he put in a bid for his company.
 
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