Kandep project payments queried

QUESTIONS have been raised on the timing of  payment totalling K200,000 paid out to various institutions, individuals and projects in Kandep district by the Enga provincial government a week before the Kandep by-election next Monday.
It was alleged that cheques worth K200,000 were raised and cashed under suspicious circumstances and later distributed on Tuesday in Kandep.
Documents obtained by The National showed that the payments were made to various schools ranging from elementary to primary schools, aid posts, health centres, women’s groups, non-governmental groups, charity groups and individuals throughout the district.
The highest amount an institution received was K20,000 by Mambala Primary School, Porokale Primary School, Mang Primary School and Longap Primary School.
They are all located in the Upper Wage local level government area.
Enga provincial treasurer Joe Warapo, when contacted yesterday, confirmed that they had processed cheque payments totalling K200,000.
When further asked whether proper procedures were followed, Mr Warapo said there were no problems with procedure as directions came from provincial administrator Dr Samson Amean and the education adviser for the release of the funds.
It was understood that these were the provincial government grants.
Mr Warapo said he did not have much to say on the provincial grants except the National Government grants.
When asked whether the timing of the cheque payments for a district was going to the polls on Monday, Mr Warapo said this was not for him to comment on or decide.
Critics of the provincial government, who became aware of the payments, questioned the timing of cheque payments for Kandep district.