|
Elections likely to be disrupted
By ANDREW ALPHONSE
THE national election in the Hela region of
Southern Highlands province is likely to be disrupted as local service
providers refuse to accommodate police and security personnel and
provide fuel.
Their refusal is due to the non-payment of outstanding monies for
services and goods provided during the State of Emergency operations.
One of the leading fuel suppliers, Hela Fuel Distributors, warned that
it would not supply fuel to any Government vehicles, including the PNG
Electoral Commission, due to non-payment of more than K100,000.
HFD managing director and Tari mayor George Tagobe said last week that
no fuel would be supplied to security personnel and Electoral Commission
workers from his depot “even if they make upfront payments”.
He said although the Electoral Commission was a different body it was
part of the Government.
“If my debts are not settled before the national election, then I am
afraid I would not supply fuel to the security forces and all Government
vehicles,” Mr Tagobe said.
Mr Tagobe said from his bill of K100,000, only one invoice was paid
while seven others were yet to be paid.
He said he was also speaking on behalf of other small service providers
in Tari and Hela region, who had rented out their houses to the security
forces and were awaiting payments.
Mr Tagobe called on Inter-Government Relations Minister Sam Abal to
immediately intervene and ask the Government to pay service providers
in Tari and Hela.
He said he had instructed his lawyers to seek legal action for the
non-payment of goods and services. Police authorities in Mendi could not
be contacted for comments.
Provincial election manager David Wakias said the electoral commission
was a separate division and should not be penalised, adding it did not
owe bills to HFD.
Mr Wakias, however, feared that if Mr Tagobe refused to supply them
fuel, the election operation was likely to be affected significantly.
 
|
