Provincial teams owe supplier K233,000 in outstanding monies

SEVEN provinces who took part in the PNG Games last year have outstanding payments, totalling K233,779.50, to settle.
The debts had been incurred for the supply of uniforms for the respective provincial teams for the PNG Games.
The supplier, JRS Marketing, had been waiting for almost 10 months for the debts to be settled.
Out of 15 provinces that made deposits through their provincial governments for the supply of uniforms, only eight had settled their outstanding payments.
As a company specialised in sports uniforms, JRS Marketing manager Josephine Tebela said it was obliged to supply the uniforms.
But, those implicated had failed to do their part by either failing or refusing to pay their outstanding balances.
The provincial administration who yet to settle their debts include; East New Britain (K24,325), Milne Bay (K27,240), Madang (K42,600), West New Britain (K57,440), Western Highlands (K28,447.50), Gulf (K20,820) and Autonomous Region of Bougainville (K49,200).
Tebela had spoken to the provincial administrations about the issue but was told that monies budgeted to settle the debts were misappropriated or diverted to meet other expenses.
A letter from her lawyer, Robert Mai & Co Lawyers, had also forwarded written documents requesting those implicated for immediate payment.
So far, Manus provincial government cleared their debts in full while the WNB administration put up a part payment of K20,000.
Tebela told The National that the provincial administrations involved should make it a priority to settle their debts.
“The uniforms gave them their identity and showcased the provincial teams in style,” she said.
“Right now the business is running slow and I also need to sort out my supplier from the Philippines.”
Tebela also claimed that letters were sent out to the provincial governments, the governors and administrators and the PNG Sports Foundation.
She said it was almost 10 months now and some provincial governments had still not done anything.
Tebela said she had been patient and had given ample time to the provincial governments to settle the outstanding debts.I am now looking at taking legal action. It has come to a stage to involve my lawyers handle the case to recoup the monies,” she said.