Foreign missions to get funds

THE country’s various foreign missions can expect to receive some funds soon to pay staff salaries and expenses.
The Foreign Affairs Department told The National yesterday that K4.5 million had been allocated for the purpose and it was awaiting clearance by the central bank.
“We have received the funds today and our staff are in the process of having it cleared by the central bank,” said deputy secretary (operations) Alexis Maino.
“The delay had been from the Government and whenever they release the funds to the department, the missions would be paid.”
He was responding to questions that several overseas mission staff had not been paid or have had their salaries delayed.
The National was also informed that a foreign mission faced with eviction for non-payment of rental.
Maino said the money had now been released and “all would be settled”.
It is understood that the High Commission in Malaysia had been sending money to some of the other PNG missions.
The Kuala Lumpur mission is said to be one of the best performers in terms of revenue generated mainly due to the number of Malaysians working in or visiting Papua New Guinea.
Finance Secretary Dr Ken Ngangan declined to comment.