Minister heading to Southern Highlands for royalty payments

PETROLEUM and Energy Minister Kerenga Kua will travel to Sembirigi, Southern Highlands, this week to pay royalties to Gobe landowners.
Kua is waiting for the cheques to be cleared by the Finance Department.
“I assure landowners that an internal investigation is underway in the department and the officer (earlier) involved in the covert issuing of cheques will be dealt with and, if need be, face possible charges,” he said.
“This is a serious situation that has regularly occurred in the past and, as a result, given the department a bad name. I want to see an end to this conduct and bring trust back into the department.
“Cheques for Gobe landowners are ready but I am waiting for the nine cheques for the clans of Imawe and Bogasi so that they can all be presented at the same time in full view of everyone.”
Kua is to explain to Prime Minister James Marape what had happened to the wrong issuing of cheques earlier.
“It is only fair and equitable that the presentations are done in the province, and, as such, there is no reason for pressure to be applied to me and my department to release the cheques here in Port Moresby,” he said.
Kua said he wanted outstanding payments to landowners done.