Payments of Business Development Grants bythe government have now been stopped.
Minister for Trade, Commerce &Industry Richard Maru madethe announcement on Monday, sayingthe national government will conduct a complete review intothe use of all past BeG’s, which have been paid out to landowners.
He added thatthere will be a freeze on all payments ofthe BeG’s untilthe review is complete and a new BeG policy is structured.
“Government is now putting a stop to any more BeG payout. We are going to go up tothe Hela Province to carry out investigations. We will also visit those who got monies inthe past and askthem wherethey putthe money; what business did Exxon Mobil gave tothem; and what business arethey likely to give to Angore if we givethe K12 million tothem.
“The Prime Minister assured me that he will support this investigation and review. Atthe conclusion of this we will look at a completely new policy whichthe NEC will consider and approver for the future of IDG’s.
Mr. Maru will lead a government team to Hela Province in coming weeks, wherethey will require audits of past payments.
Delly Begu, National EMTV News
