By ZACHERY PER
A SIMBU businessman was paid almost K1 million in compensation under the Highlands Highway rehabilitation programme for a coffee factory which did not exist.
Supt Jimmy Onopia, who was the former Simbu provincial police commander, said the businessman might have struck a deal with some decision-makers to make the false claim.
He said the case was just one of many fraudulent claims and that he had a thick folder of evidence.
There was “overwhelming abuse” of procedures in disbursing compensation over the past two years, he told The National after reading a report that about K50 million allocated for the programme had been squandered.
“People received payments for bogus claims for permanent buildings and plants, also for houses and structures located some 20-30m away from the highway,” he said.
Acting Works Secretary Joel Luma had told The National on Tuesday that the K50 million was for the entire highway but instead had all been paid out in just Simbu alone.
He said this meant that there was no money left to acquire land in the other four provinces.
He has recommended the suspension of two senior department officials.
Supt Onopia said his men were investigating the businessman’s claim when he was replaced by Supt Joseph Tondon.
He said he did not know the status of the investigation.
Supt Tondon also could not be contacted for comment.
 

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