Minister for Petroleum & Energy, Kerenga Kua has knocked back claims of misappropriation, backing up the Secretary of the Department, David Manau and the Expenditure Implementation Committee [EIC], stating that as minister, he has not found anything dodgy with respect to the Secretary’s decisions. “At the moment its what people are saying that it’s misappropriation. For me as minister, I don’t see any misappropriation.” The Minister said that there are several departments involved in the decision making of the EIC, this includes other departments such as the National Planning Department and Treasury and Finance. Manau, as per Kua holds the deputy chair of the EIC and decisions concerning movement of funds and others are made collectively and in collaboration within the EIC. “Errors of Judgement do not imply Criminality.” Kua added that he is aware of what has been said concerning the secretary, maintaining that it remains an allegation until proven. He also pointed out that Manau in his capacity as Deputy Chair of the EIC should not be the subject of the investigation. “The secretary alone doesn't make the decision. In fact he should not even be the subject of this complaint at all. The Chairman, which is the Secretary for National Planning should be the main subject of the police investigation. He leads, He signs off.” Kua reiterates that the department does not receive any money, as it all goes through to the Treasury Department, saying it is hard to accept that there is any criminality involved in the conduct of the Department secretary.