Nipa-Kutubu leaders query K32 million

By MALUM NALU
NIPA-Kutubu leaders from Southern Highlands have questioned how K32 million allocated by the national government for projects had been spent.
They said people from the province were now demanding that provincial administrator William Powi tell them how the money had been spent.
The money included K2 million for cooperative societies, K10 million for Nipa Secondary School infrastructure development and K20 million for Nipa Rural Hospital infrastructure development.
They said people of the province were encouraged to apply and secure funds from cooperative society funds, however, the process was very “selective”.
“Though many applied, only applicants from Nipa-Kutubu electorate were considered and accepted, in which each village of Nipa-Kutubu electorate was given K10,000.
“The recipients were very selective, which seems to be his (Powi’s) supporters and agents, who are very close to him where he wants to gain favour and vote during the 2012 national elections,” they said.
The Nipa-Kutubu leaders said K10 million was allocated for Nipa Secondary School infrastructure development, however, “there was no normal process for interested companies to apply”.
“In his (Powi’s) capacity as the provincial tenders board chairman, he awarded the contract to Raiboro, which is another private company.”
They said K20 million for Nipa Rural Hospital infrastructure development fund was given to the same company, Raiboro, by Powi’s relatives.
“If the government is to fight corruption, then there should be honesty, transparency and accountability to maintain the good name of the new government,” they said.
“How can William Powi, who was appointed by the current government, be using government resources to campaign?
“The government, if it is serious, must look into this allegation seriously to maintain the fight it has launched since taking office.
“We, the silent majority of SHP, are watching as we have no authority to speak out on what is happening.”