Naru warns over group collecting project fees

 RESIDENTS of Lae and the other the nine districts of Morobe have been warned to be wary of conmen going around using the name of Morobe Governor Kelly Naru to solicit funds.

Naru has received reports that some people are going to settlements asking for fees to register individuals or groups to access funds under the Governor’s Assistance Scheme or the Christian Churches Partnership Programme.

He issued a statement saying that people should not be fooled by this and report these con artists to community leaders and police.

 “I have never authorised anyone to collect fees for any of the scheme or programme,” Naru said.

“I want to make it clear that no one is required to pay fees to anyone to access government funding under any of the assistance programmes.”

He said anyone found charging a fee or demanding payment should be reported immediately to the police.

The financial assistance scheme was exposed last November when angry citizens who had fallen victim to the scam damaged the Tutumang offices.

As a result, the community assistance programme was suspended and all the staff of the Governor’s office sacked.