Frustrated landowners of the Papua Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) in Gulf Province are requesting that the government reallocate the K60 million allocated for Business Development Grants to Gulf LO’s.
Dominic Evere, Chairman of MEPO Holdings Ltd. and Papua LNG announced that K120 million, of which K60 million was allocated for in the 2024 National Budget, would be granted as a Business Development Grant to the Gulf Papua LNG landowners.
The K60 million, he claimed, was budgeted and accessible for the landowners of Papua LNG to engage in economic prospects.
However, he added they were shocked to learn that the funds had just been transferred to the Enga Provincial Government.
“In the last few days, we were surprised and shocked to learn that our Business Development Grants are now written to Enga Provincial Government.”
“Why did the Prime Minister in his wisdom direct his Treasurer to write a letter to his Secretary to make a warrant to release this money to Enga Provincial Government?”
“Do the Prime Minister, the Secretary, and the Treasurer know the rules and laws that govern the finance management act and the rules and laws that govern the budgetary appropriation?”Mr Evere questioned.
“When money is appropriated for a certain project, it has to go to that project, but this is a clear sign of misappropriation.”
Evere and other concerned landowners are now calling on the Prime Minister to return the money and stop the corruption.
Some of their demands are as follows;
1. Prime Minister James Marape to return the K60million.
2. They are calling upon their leaders from Gulf to resign and leave the Pangu Pati.
3. Police Fraud squad and the Ombudsman Commission to arrest the Treasurer and his Secretary for signing the letter for the grants to be released.
4. The treasurer, and the secretary to be arrested for misappropriation.
5. For all Southern region and Papuan MPs from Western, Gulf, NCD, Central, Milne Bay and Oro provinces to do a mass resignation from the PANGU led government.
“Our resources are being used yet, and we are not recognized.”
“Enough is enough. Put an end to all these misappropriations.”
“We want to tell the Prime Minister and Treasurer in no uncertain terms to return our funds that belongs to us.”