People urged not to make ‘wild claims’

By ELIAS LARI
LAI Valley local level government president Mathew Kimisi said people should not make wild claims about corruption.
Speaking from his Mendi ward in Southern Highlands, he refuted a report in The National on Dec 28 that the district administrator of Mendi, Otto Oyiu, had been attacked by 14 councillors from the LLG after allegedly misusing K200,000 in public funds.
“I confirmed the attack.
“The reason was these councillors were trying to move a motion of no-confidence against my executive but proper procedures were not followed and the attempt was delayed so the councillors attacked Oyiu,” Kimisi said.
The councillors were locked in the Mendi police cell, while Oyiu suffered injuries, he said. 
He said under the law, the councillors had to wait 14 days before a meeting of the LLG was convened to vote on any no-confidence motion against the head of the LLG and his executive.
But, he said, the councillors had become impatient and attacked Oyiu because he was the LLG’s chief executive officer. 
After getting advice from the provincial administrator, Oyiu had deferred conducting LLG meetings.
He said pushing for the no-confidence vote had still not complied with mandatory requirements under the LLG Act. 
Kimisi said his executive was legitimately in office and the councillors must be investigated over their conduct as leaders.
He said mandated leaders must lead by an example and show respect for the national Constitution.