The Public Accounts Committee inquired intothe Finance Department’s District Roll-out Programs throughoutthe country and heard that only a few ofthe intended 86 have been rolled out.
The Committee was told thatthe District Treasury Roll-out program was removerd fromthe respective Provincial governments and now with Finance Department. Chairman Hickey wanted to knowthe status.
He also questioned why Provincial Treasury Officers were not used duringthe Roll-out.
Deputy Secretary for Strategy withinthe Finance Department who once headed Program said he will give a detailed report onthe situation.
Another issue uncovered atthe inquiry wasthe purchase of 22 kit-homes for six Districts.
Deputy Secretary for Strategy Samuel Penias said most ofthe kit homes were never built as most ofthe materials was never shipped out of Lae tothe respective Districts.
The Public Accounts Committee also plans to summonthe Berder Development Authority as it was tasked to deliverthe materials inthe first instance.
The Finance Department has been ordered to compile a full report.
Pictured: Deputy Secretary for Strategy for Finance Department – Samuel Penias.
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