Substantial funds for Lae roads, but all in vain

 DESPITE continuous funding by the national government for maintenance work on Lae roads, it seems that there is no progress. 

The road from Eriku to Kamkumunb roundabout is taking almost a year to seal and be open for use. 

If the contractors are blaming the government for lack of funding, it is obviously  up to the Department of Works to ensure that payments are made without delay. 

Morobe Governor Kelly Naru has embarked on a mission to get to the bottom of this mess. 

I suggest he speaks to Works Secretary David Wereh and find out what is the hold up. 

Current Works Minister Francis Awesa has indicated that about K12 million was hijacked.

This is a sheer blunder as how can  such a large sum of money disappear from his very own department without him noticing? 

There are processes mandated by our laws to govern the use of these funds and if what our minister says is right, obviously it leaves us, the poor citizens and taxpayers of this nation, to anticipate that someone with very high powers has undermined the laws   of our  land  and  has  shamefully cheated the process. 

He should be punished and dealt with by law. 

I humbly call upon the Task Force Sweep team chairman, Sam Koim, to look into this issue as it has become an avenue for some very selfish, corrupt leaders to steal and thrive on public money. 

Derek Sembo

Lae