By MALUM NALU
Bulolo MP and Deputy Opposition Leader Sam Basil
says projects totaling up to K9 million in his electorate had come to a
standstill because the government has still not released his electorate’s
district support improvement programme (DSIP) funds for 2013.
“Everything,”
he said.
“K9 million worth of projects has stopped.”
The projects which have grinded to a halt
include rural policing, road maintenance,
foot bridges, honey, rural
electrification, Garaina road K5 million, support vehicles for each LLG, mobile
health, Leklu Bridge and Latu bridges, Balob Teachers College corporate
sponsorship for next year, road from Wagau to Bumatu in Labu, eye operations
for people in all LLGs, Bulolo Technical College sponsorship, livestock, sponsorship
of training for Wau Mining School, fuel
for machinery, foot bridges, Buang hydro power,
drugs and various others.
Basil said he had only received K1 million this
year, K2 million was still to be cleared, and K7 million was outstanding.
Last Friday, backed by a rowdy crowd of supporters,
Basil fired a broadside at Finance Secretary Dr Ken Nangan at Vulupindi Haus,
“You are the Secretary of Department of Finance,” he
told Nangan,
“Bulolo is one of the 89 districts, which has two
mines that pay taxes to the government.
“Bulolo has people who are into alluvial mining,
coffee, is home to PNG Forest Products and Zenag Chicken.
“We play a big role in the development of PNG,
unlike many other districts, in terms of our taxes.
“The government last year passed the Appropriation
Act, which says that all 89 districts of PNG will receive K89 million.
“From January up till December, Bulolo district has
received K1 million and I got another K2 million, which is yet to be cleared.
“Practically, we have K9 million yet to be received.”
Basil said legal action was being sought for
immediate release of outstanding funds with orders that Finance Minister James
Marape pay all costs.
“We are taking court action,” he said.
“Our lawyer will take out a court order before Dec
31 to James Marape and his Secretary.
“We won’t stop there.
“As soon as the order is released, we will go
further.
“Damage has been done: 12 months no projects.
“We will seek further orders that no more DSIPs be
paid out in cheques and all payments must be paid out electronically at the
same time.
“Payments must be made quarterly.
“We will seek a court order in that regards and we
will pass on all legal costs to James Marape, not the Independent State of
Papua New Guinea.
“The minister himself misused his powers in terms of
delaying and instructing his Finance Secretary to delay the payments.
“We will ensure that he pays the full legal costs
that the opposition will pick up.”
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