MP: Probe on for Lagaip-Porgera

By JEFFREY ELAPA
LAGAIP-Porgera MP Nixon Mangape has announced an independent investigation into the use of millions of kina that have not been accounted for over the last five years.
Mangape, a first-term MP and a Porgera landowner, said in a statement yesterday that Lagaip-Porgera was one of the two districts in the country to have received the biggest slice of government funding over the last five years.He said many of the projects initiated by former MP Philip Kikala had not been completed. And he wanted an investigation to identify where the remainder of the funds were.
He said projects like the K14.3 million West Enga Secondary School in Laiagam was incomplete and the contractor was paid only K7 million. The remaining K7.3 million was yet to be accounted for.
He said the K6.6 million Laiagam Correctional Services project was also incomplete while the old buildings had been demolished to allow for new ones.
Mangape said others such as the hydro power project, the district bank building, chicken factory and other major impact projects funded under the district services improvement programme and other sector grants from the government had not been completed although the funds were released.
He said the investigation would allow him to start fresh and to recoup the money to complete the projects. Investigations are expected to start next week.
Mangape said as a new member, he does not want to be blamed for wrongs and bad practices.