|
Team to probe SoE
spending
A PROBE team has been created to look into
how the K40 million was used by the Southern Highlands’ provincial
administration when it carried out the Supreme Court-outlawed State of
Emergency regime.
The probe team will be headed by lawyer Philip Ame with assistance from
accountant and principal of Niugini Business Consultants Johanis Wandaki,
former Public Service commissioner Tau Liu, the Auditor-General’s
office, and a team from the Public Prosecutor Commission composed of
Simon Nigi and Geoffrey Vaki.
In announcing the probe team, Southern Highlands Governor Hami Yawari
said the people wanted to know how the K40 million was spent by SoE
administrators.
Mr Yawari said the Supreme Court had ruled the SoE was unconstitutional
and any money used on it during its nine months regime had been deemed
illegally spent.
He called on the people in the province to co-operate with the
investigation team by providing it with necessary information.
“The money spent for SoE operations had been considered illegally spent
and that we must recoup it because it belongs to the provincial
government.”
Mr Ame called on both the provincial and local politicians to co-operate
with the probe team.
He said that there had been some information already received that some
of that money was used to pay legal fees and that too, would be
investigated.
Meanwhile, Mr Yawari had shown the media the gazettal notice signed by
the Governor General revoking the appointment of William Powi and the
appointment of Alphonse Haiyabe as acting provincial administrator.
He said Mr Powi’s court action trying to restrain the provincial
executive council was an act of “hijacking” the process.
Mr Yawari said the provincial government lawyers would defend its
decision when the matter returns to court on Thursday.
“I don’t want him to take short-cuts … I have an administration to run
and I will not work with Powi.”
“Why is Mr Powi going to court and forcing me to work with him. The PEC
had also revoked his appointment and appointed Mr Haiyabe who will take
charge of the administration.”
He said Mr Powi has been implicated in the illegal use of funds in
connection with the SoE operations and will also face investigation.
 
|
