by Marie Kauna – EMTV Online, Port Moresby
A group of service providers from the 2012 General Elections gathered this morning at the Electoral Commission Headquarters, to conduct a protest on their outstanding payments.
This followed continuous calls on the Electoral Commission.
Judith James, a female member of the service providers said it has almost been five years but their grievances are still to be addressed.
James said she and others in the group have been constantly checking every Tuesdays and Thursdays but to no avail.
She pointed out that slow progress and the poor response has disadvantaged many of them.
David Akipa is another member of the service providers.
Mr. Akipa who hails from Hela Province, said he won a contract to provide catering and hire car services for the election.
Since 2012, he said no payments have been made although he followed proper procedures to engage in the deal.
Akipa said the Electoral Commission and the respective authorities have failed by not paying up their dues.
He said those responsible should take the matter seriously, and establish proper processes for service providing arrangement for the 2017 election.
Akipa said their plight should be a lesson to other service providers.
He said this is a loss to his business and he is frustrated that no positive response has been made.
Like Akipa, Linga Mengino is another service provider who provided hire car services for the North-West electorate during the 2012 election. He, too, has waited for nearly five years to have the debts owed to be settled.
The followers said they will continue to follow up until their matter is addressed accordingly.
Related Articles:
http://www.emtv.com.pg/news/2014/04/officials-frustrated-over-outstanding-payments/
http://www.emtv.com.pg/news/2016/06/frustrated-service-providers-demand-outstanding-payments/
