Leader: Probe use of funds

A COMMUNITY leader in Henganofi, Eastern Highlands, is shocked at how the Office of Rural Development and Implementation (ORDI) works.
He said the office had done acquittals for projects in the district without sending representatives to verify the work done.
In a telephone interview the leader, who did not want to be named, said officers from the ORDI had never visited the area to cross-check on projects.
When contacted, acting district administrator Richard Keupave said he was not aware of a report by the office published in The National on March 19 and was not in a position to comment.
ORDI media officer Samson Kendeman said the department had evidence that the acquittals were genuine.
Assistant director for policy Andrew Livingston confirmed that the acquittals for the district submitted by the MP Ferao Orimyo were in order but said he was not sure whether officers had been in the district verify the figures on paper.
Orimyo was said to have built new houses for public servants, clinics and roads costing almost K4 million.
The leader wants Task Force Sweep to investigate where all funds are.
He said the 50,000-plus people of the district were looking for services in Goroka Town as most public facilities in the area were deteriorating.