Yalu villagers apologise

By PISAI GUMAR
YALU villagers in Wampar, Huon Gulf district, Morobe, and the consultant company that allegedly received K4.5 million from the government have reached a consensus.
In a press statement, the leaders, Kwalam Tangapi, John Sam and Wune Barnabas, apologised to the public, saying that without obtaining separate statements from three companies including the Suapi management consultancy (SMC), Markham Organic Cocoa Producers (MOCP) and Morobe Civil Engineering (MCE), they had released their concern.
It was stated that the reporting was biased, misleading and politically motivated and that media reports had tarnished the image and reputation of three local Morobe companies.
“The monies allocated for the cocoa project were used for its intended purpose,” they said.
However, last Wednesday, the Yalu community and Jungyem plantation holders at a village meeting, provided to The National all necessary information contained in a document related to K4.5 million that SMC obtained from the government.
Tangapi said that last Friday, the SMC, MOCP and SMC management met with Yalu community and leaders to justify the use of the money and all parties agreed to work together.
The leaders apologized to the managements of the companies for causing inconvenience.