Politicians asked to explain missing money

SEVEN Upper Lai Valley local level government (LLG) ward councillors in Mendi-Munhiu district want MP and Deputy Governor Pr Isaac and his district administrator Otto Piu to explain a K200,000 payout for road maintenance last year.
Ward councillors Sot Kep (Tupip #1), Mui Kumis (Tupip #2), Moken Olopo (Imilhoma), Peter Larson (Mariste), Tom Pap, (Wariba) and Mathew Mine (Honda) LLG wards raised their concerns last week in Mendi and demanded to know who was paid.
The councillors alleged that the money was committed by Pr Isaac last year for road maintenance from Sulama to the Honda section of the road in Upper Lai Valley district.
They alleged that the money was released by Mr Piu and collected by a politician.
The councillors said that the politician collected the money and paid less than K3,000 to Mariste, and Wariba wards while rest of the wards were not paid.
The councillors said apart from the project payment, they had wasted resources such as food, cash and slaughtered pigs for district officers.
Pr Isaac and Mr Piu refused to comment on the allegations.
Meanwhile, leaders in the Anglimp-South Waghi electorate have called on their Member of Parliament Jamie Maxtone-Graham to explain how the District Services Improvement Programme (DSIP) funds for 2009 has been used.
These leaders include, former Minj town lord mayor Jepi Moti Kay, Konubuka tribal leader James Tumun and chairman for Minj town urbanisation project, Simon Hans Gilpip.
Mr Kay said he asked Mr Maxtone-Graham last September about the use of the funds and  he assured him that he would explain everything when he visited during Christmas.
He said there was a report in the media that Mr Maxtone-Graham had allocated K4 million for Minj roads but did not specify which roads funds were allocated to.
“There are three main roads; Minjmu-Tomne and Andakap road, Minj – Sigmil/Border Road, Warakane-Minj back Road, and roads in Minj town. Which ones did he allocate funds?” Mr Tumun said.
A DSIP officer refused to comment.