Abel: Probe cooperative societies

By ANCILLA WRAKUALE
THE Task Force Sweep team should investigate alleged misappropriation of funds earmarked for three cooperative societies, a cabinet minister said.
Charles Abel, the Minister for Commerce, Trade and Industry has written a letter to the team to carry out investigations.
He said since 2007, K16 million had been provided in the development budget for cooperative societies in PNG.
However, the government had yet to receive full acquittals.
“There are reports of funds used to purchase the Dei Coffee Mill for K1.2 million in Western Highlands and former SPCA properties in Wewak, East Sepik for K9.2 million (K3.2 million purchase and K6 million special funding),” Abel said.
The other group he mentioned was the Women in Business which was allocated K5 million for a programme that was to be run by the department but was given to a company.
Abel said they would be monitoring the societies and investigations should make the societies more accountable and transparent.