Dion tells people to query K75m paid to Kokopo firms

 EAST New Britain Governor Leo Dion has urged people in the province to demand explanations from their leaders on the K75 million allegedly paid out to certain Kokopo-based companies in the past 12 months.

He said they should not blindly praise their leaders without knowing the true story behind sensitive issues which involved public funds for the proposed projects in ENB.

“The point is that the money has already been spent and other people do not know about this,” Dion said.

He said projects allegedly identified under the K125 million allocation were actually provincial government’s projects built between 2004 and 2005.

“People should not be misled by the free water tanks that were given out and the K10, 000 announced to the wards in Kokopo district.

“It is nothing compared to millions of money allegedly paid out to the leaders and their cronies and I can name some of these companies.”

The office of Member for Kokopo Patrick Tammur, said yesterday they were unable to confirm if K75 million had been released. 

But they confirmed that some work on major projects identified under the K125 million programme had already started.

They said these included the Bitapaka-Ganai road which was soon to be completed, the upgrading of roads in Kokopo and the 1,500 water tanks.

According to Dion, more than K24 million was paid to Allan Waters, owner of Malco PNG Ltd for advising Kokopo JDP&BPC on certain projects.

“Our implementation agencies like the Gazelle restoration authority and the provincial administration are the best in the country. Why can’t they use it free of charge?” he said.

Attempts to speak with Waters yesterday to verify the K24 million paid to him were unsuccessful.

Dion also said the  K29 million was paid to Niugini Assets Management for the delivery of water supplies and road infrastructure.