HTA pays for probe into fire at treasury

THE Hela Transitional Authority (HTA) says it will support police investigations into the recent burning down of the Koroba Treasury Office.
Authority chief executive officer William Bando condemned the act of arson, saying those responsible would be dealt with by the court for their criminal action.
“The HTA will fully fund the police investigations to ensure there are no stones left unturned so we can identify those responsible and bring them to justice,” he said.
Bando said with parliament now granting Hela full provincial autonomy, “the people must take ownership of its government service infrastructure and protect them from such unwanted destruction”.
“We are a new province and we simply cannot afford to start on a wrong footing,” he said.
“HTA will offer a reward to people with any information that may lead to the arrest of those responsible for the burning down of the Koroba District Treasury Office.”
Bando has called on the Department of Finance to conduct its own internal investigations as the cause of fire was suspicious and may have
been lit deliberately.
He said the fire allegedly started from inside the building and someone could have had access to the building
after hours because only staff of the district treasury had access to the district treasury and district administration building.
Bando will be meeting local community and leaders at Koroba station on Saturday to discuss the matter.
He has called on politicians and aspiring politicians not to sensationalise the issue in the media as it was a criminal matter that was now being investigated.
CID officers from around the country are in Tari to carry out their investigations.
Their accommodation and logistics are being provided by the HTA.