EDUCATION Secretary Dr Joseph Pagelio yesterday appeared briefly before the Public Accounts Committee to explain the alleged mismanagement of about K650 million that was allocated to his department in 2005.
Dr Pagelio was asked to explain the manner the money was managed amidst concerns about the deteriorating state of the education services throughout the country.
He, however, denied the allegation and said the K650 million might be the total funding allocated to both the Education Department and Provincial Education Division.
PAC chairman Timothy Bonga told Dr Pagelio that PAC was informed that only K221 million out of K650 million was received by the department – a shortfall of 66.15%.
“Even from that reduced amount, we were further informed that the department had under spent by K53,150,000 – or 24.71%,” he said.
“Papua New Guineans are entitled to know if and why this was so. And we intend to thoroughly scrutinise this information and ascertain whether the department is receiving adequate funding to fulfil its mission.”
But Dr Pagelio said from their own records they had neither received nor spent that amount of monies that Mr Bonga had disclosed.
“But we are happy to assist and welcome your investigation in this allegation.”
Mr Bonga adjourned the hearing to next March and indicated that the PAC would publish the terms of reference in two weeks time to invite submissions from the public to help them with their investigations.