Wenge grilled over business undertakings
By MADELEINE AREK
MOROBE Governor Luther Wenge came under fire in the Tutumang (provincial assembly) yesterday when it was alleged that two of his officers have amassed fuel costs totalling K90,000.
His protocol officer was alleged to have used K15,000 while the chief of staff used K74,000 from a private fuel supplier called Bono Enterprise.
Member for Bulolo Sam Basil, who raised the allegations, said the expenditure was unbudgeted for, and asked Mr Wenge to explain if the tender process was followed in the awarding of a fuel contract to Bono Enterprise.
Mr Wenge was also asked to explain the maintenance work on the provincial house of assembly, the Tutumang.
Mr Wenge was also put to task over allegations of owning a security firm that was operating out of his official premises and soliciting government resources to carry out their duties.
Mr Basil said it was in the best interest of his people that Mr Wenge came out clear on these issues as any truth would have a huge bearing on the people of his electorate.
Mr Wenge welcomed the questions and said while he was not aware of the use of these funds to purchase fuel, he would carry out an investigation into the allegations.
He also denied owning or operating a security firm from his official residence and welcomed investigations into the allegations.
With regards the tender process for the fuel company and maintenance work at the Tutumang, he said those were matters the tenders board deliberated on and he did not have a say on them.
The Tutumang was supposed to sit at 10am yesterday but deferred proceedings to 2pm. All the members of the provincial executive council were there as well as nine of the 10 MPs.
Health Minister Sasa Zibe was not available.
Tutumang will sit over the next three days.
Nation Stories