Bird supports call for report

By GYNNIE KERO
EAST Sepik Governor Allan Bird has welcomed the call by East Sepik people for a financial report on Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare’s funeral expenses.
He estimated it to be more than K7 million.
Bird described the people’s call as reasonable and urged them to keep on putting pressure on those in public positions to account for the use of public funds.
“These demands are important for good governance,” he said.
“I have asked our administration to provide a preliminary report to the members of the assembly.
“It might be premature, but, hopefully (this week) we will have it. The report will be audited and published.”
Bird said Sir Michael “would not expect us to use his state funeral as an excuse to misuse public funds”.
He said the provincial government received K5 million from the Government.
“I was also given K800,000 from other provincial governments and districts to help with the funeral expenses,” he said.
“There is another K1.2 million in commitments that might be collected later.”
Bird also received K50,000 in cash from the Hela and Southern Highlands which he gave to the organising committee in Port Moresby to put together the Sepik haus krai participation.
He sought the approval of East Sepik MPs.
“I was also given K100,000 from Angoram towards the costs,” he said.
“In all, it is my responsibility to account for the use of K7,150,000 of public funds.
“And I want to assure the people of PNG that every toea will be accounted in detail.”