Last week,the Member for Belolo, Sam Besil, accused Finance Minister, James Marape, of diverting District Services Improverment Program (DSIP) funds to a company from Hela.
He saidthe minister seemed to be giving prominence to this particular payment.
The businessman accused in this case, showed up at our EMTV offices on Tuesday afternoon confirming receivingthe money, however, he denlied its connection with DSIP.
Michael Pai,the owner ofthe company who is alsothe Managing Director oPNG Power, said thatthe payment is an MOA funding for landowners ofthPNG LNG project.
A landowner from Hides Petroleum Development Licence 1 (PDL1) area, Mr Pai, confirmed receiving K2 million fromthe department.
Mr. Pai was accused by member for Belolo, Sam Besil, for cooperating with Finance Minister, James Marape, in diverting funds fromthe DSIP.
Mr. Pai said he submitted a proposal in 2009 for funding underthe government’s arrangement withthe developer, to fund landowner companies.
His company was registered to supply environment friendy electrical products as a spin off fromthPNG LNG project. The payment was approverd in 2010 bythe expenditure implementation committee.
However, in his accusation, Mr. Besil questionedthe date of this payment and wantedthe Minister to clarifythe payment.
Providing evidence of all correspondences between him andthe Department of National Planning and Petroleum and Energy, Mr. Pai is adamant it went throughthe right process.
He called on politicians in Morobe to work with him for the betterment ofthe province.
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