Dept clears Yasause

THE Finance Department has cleared Dr Theo Yasause of any wrongdoing as chief executive of the Office of Climate Change and Environment (OCCES).
In a letter dated July 24 to an investigating committee, acting Finance secretary Chris Kalebo said the OCCES had adhered to all procedures under the Public Finance Management Act in the last six months.
“From the financial statements, it had been established that no significant payments have been received from companies within and abroad.
“All funding budgeted were made available and paid through a trust account operated at Bank South Pacific, Port Moresby, by the Department of Prime Minister and National Executive Council (NEC) for establishment and running of the office,”  he said in the letter.
Mr Kalebo said all payments for goods and services followed the procedures stated under the Act and no assets had been disposed.
Dr Yasause was suspended by the NEC three months ago after allegations over the OCCES’ finances, recruitment process and carbon trading.
The investigating committee, chaired by the acting secretary for Personnel Management, John Kali, is understood to have also checked with the central bank, the Prime Minister’s Department and concluded that the OCCES did not receive any funds from any entity within or outside of the country.