Court orders Garia to pay K200,000

By JEFFREY ELAPA
THE National Court in Port Moresby has ordered a member of parliament to pay more than K200,000 for failing to honour an agreement on the hire of a motor vehicle for election purposes.
Chimbu Governor Fr John Garia entered into an agreement with Richard Awesa to hire his vehicle he needed to use in the 2007 general election for the Chimbu regional seat.
It was further agreed that Garia in return would buy a new LandCruiser or return the vehicle after use or even give something to the monetary value of the vehicle.
However, Garia refused to buy a new vehicle for Awesa after winning the election.
Awesa then commenced the proceedings at the National Court.
Although a writ of summons was filed in 2010, Garia failed to file a defence and therefore a default judgment was entered against him in June last year. 
The National Court ruled that the plaintiff be awarded the value of a new Toyota LandCruiser at K154,920, damages, distress and hardships at K5,000 with 8% interest from the date of filing of the writ of summons to the date of judgment, March 22, 2012.
The cost of the proceedings was also awarded and all payment to be made within 30 days.