Abel wants proof govt owes K120mil to sewerage project

National

Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer Charles Abel says he has to verify that the government owes K120 million to the K369 million Port Moresby sewerage system upgrade project (POMSSUP).
Kumul Consolidated Holdings managing-director Thomas Abe recently warned that work may come to a halt if the government funding was inadequate.
“I have to verify that figure,” Abel told The National.
“That sounds excessive to me, but I know we have some obligations for counterpart funding this year, which is K10 million.
“We’re talking with Eda Ranu about how they can contribute towards that cost by way of
dividends and fill in that arrangement.
“That’s what we’re working on.
“That’s the only commitment I’m aware of to continue that project.
“I’m not aware of K100 million and all that.
“I have to get some further information on that.”
The POMSSUP project is jointly funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) and the government, and is located at Joyce Bay in Moresby South.
Abel said the total budget required to complete the project included K120 million from the government – K25 million for 2017, K78 million for 2018 and the balance of K17 million in 2019.