South Waghi committee says payments soon

By YVONNE HAIP
THE South Waghi joint district planning and budget priority committee in the Jiwaka province has announced that payments for claims will be processed soon.
Members of the committee said they had met with district treasurer Apa Niningi to screen and approve claims and projects for processing.
The members included chairman Simon Kumi, screening committee members John Lep and John Tumbo and budget committee members Nicholas Wama, Steven Wak, Eric Wus, Kosi Bulda, Mark Tungo, Matthew Kuma, Pink Palime and Gabriel Rumints.
They also refuted recent allegations that Niningi had been operating out of the province after only a week in office.
It was alleged that Niningi had told junior officers in Minj to deal with claimants while he was reportedly operating out from lodges and guest houses in Mt Hagen, Goroka and Kundiawa.
However, the committee members said in a statement that Niningi had been operating in the office since he was appointed on Dec 9.
They said the committee had also met regularly when he took over.