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Agiru mounts probe
into SHP payments
By ANDREW ALPHONSE in MENDI
GOVERNOR Anderson Agiru has ordered an inquiry into the financial
affairs of the Southern Highlands provincial government.
He said the province had become a ‘cash cow’ for lawyers and
accountants, and the probe would ascertain if payments amounting to
millions of kina made over the last seven years were proper.
The provincial assembly sat in Mendi last Friday and approved
instruments to set up the inquiry.
Mr Agiru said lawyers, accountants, engineers and other professionals
have ‘shamelessly’ ripped off the provincial government coffers of
millions of kina over the years, while Southern Highlands people had
been denied basic goods and services.
“For example, it has been revealed that over the first six months of
this year, almost K10 million belonging to the provincial government was
used to pay law firms from January to July.”
Mr Agiru alleged that there were blatant abuse of public tender
procedures and the Public Finance Management Act and the payments were
done under very dubious circumstances.
He said part of the K10 million was paid to three Port Moresby-based law
firms – one of them (named) was paid K3 million for questionable legal
fees.
He said the provincial government operational account 705 had been
overdrawn by over K2 million.
He blasted the public servants in the provincial administration and the
treasury for facilitating these illegal and dubious payments as well as
having the account the overdrawn.
Mr Agiru told assembly members that the inquiry would ensure that money
the provincial government paid illegally to questionable individuals and
service providers would be investigated and recouped.
He said the provincial commission of inquiry would be headed by a
retired National Court judge.
“I am now calling on people in possession of any properties belonging to
the Southern Highlands provincial government to have them returned
immediately,” Mr Agiru said.
Eight MPs from the province also supported the inquiry bill.
 
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