MP ticks project

 By MALUM NALU 

There is nothing sinister about the pilot biometrics scheme in Lae run by a company known as SkyCo, which cost almost K5 million,  MP Loujaya Kouza says.  

Kouza told The National the money used to pay SkyCo came from leftover funds from her predecessor, Bart Philemon. 

She said the K5 million was paid in tranches with K600,000 still to be paid. 

An online search of the Investment Promotion Authority website yesterday showed that Skyco Systems PNG Ltd has one director, Joe Bal Kile, of Section 146, Allotment 482, Stage 2, Gerehu, NCD.

The company was registered on March 7, 2009.

“There is no sinister motive about this biometrics,” Kouza said.

“We are trying to build a database for the Lae District Development Authority. 

There’s nothing sinister about that.”

Kouza said the PNG National Identity (NID) Project had asked that the Lae biometrics project be stopped because it was a “duplication”.

She said NID had asked for the data and machines used by SkyCo.

“Apparently, NID people had a contract that was signed with SkyCo, and SkyCo was very much part of putting together the policy.

“They’ve asked SkyCo to hand over all Lae data and equipment.” She said the Morobe government had to approve the release of this money.

“The money was released in tranches,” she said.

“Some work has not been completed and the money is with DDA. 

“There’s about K600,000 still with us because the work is not complete.”

Kouza said the company had produced. 

 “When I was the Minister for Community Development, I wanted them to help me with my electorate, so I said I would trial them in my electorate.”