Unpaid rental bills see education dept locked out of FinCorp Haus

By LOUISAH FRANK
Department of Education and Teaching Services Commission staff at FinCorp Haus in Waigani have been locked out because of non-payment of rent totalling
K5 million.
Property owner Grand Columbia Ltd locked the gate on Sunday afternoon following the government’s failure to pay the rent.
Secretary for Education Dr Uke Kombra said he met with Chief Secretary Isaac Lupari on Sunday to discuss rental payments and to avoid a lock-out.
Kombra said Lupari said the government office allocation committee had a payment of K800,000 for Grand Columbia, with a debt reduction plant to be executed,
“I called Grand Columbia to tell them about the advice I received (from Lupari),” Kombra said.
“They said they wanted K5 million so I told Grand Columbia representatives to talk to the chief secretary’s office.”
A reliable source said outstanding rentals date back to September last year.
“Because of this, Grand Columbia has scaled down its workers leaving toilet facilities and the vicinity of the building unattended,” the source said.
“Lifts have not been working for the last two months as well.”
Kombra said that in the meantime, workers were to turn up for work every day unless advised otherwise.
“If the gates are locked, senior staff can work out of the curriculum development division, eLearning and PNG Education Institute while the rest of the workers can go home after 10am,” he said.
Kombra said they would follow up with Lupari and the government office allocation committee to be allowed access. “We will be looking for alternative office space,” he said.