Semoso’s tribunal case may end next Friday

By ADRIAN MATHIAS
THE leadership tribunal hearing into the alleged misconduct in office by Bougainville regional MP Fidelis Semoso should be completed by next Friday, a lawyer him said.
In the tribunal hearing yesterday, seven witnesses appeared before the tribunal comprising Justice Salatiel Lenalia and assisted by senior magistrates Ignatius Kurei and Nerrie Eliakim.
On Nov 19, 2008, Semoso had written a letter to Sir Puka Temu, who was then acting prime minister, requesting for funds for a number of projects on Bougainville.
Abau MP Sir Puka, who appeared as the first witness yesterday, then wrote a letter on Nov 28, 2008, to Patrick Pruaitch, requesting him to release funds for a number of projects on Bougainville including the construction of the South Bougainville feeder roads, water supply and treatment and a hospital.
Sir Puka told the tribunal that as acting prime minister and chairman of the joint supervisory body responsible for building Bougainville at the time, he asked  Pruaitch in a letter to direct funds following the request by Semoso.
The Department of Treasury and National Planning, after having gone through the letter and a proposal submitted by Semoso requesting the funds, approved K4.1 million cheque to implement projects on Bougainville as proposed.
However, Semoso was alleged to have misappropriated part of the money earmarked for the South Bougainville feeder road projects.