By Adelaide Sirox Kari – EMTV News, Port Moresby
Transparency International Papua New Guinea has called on the state to audit K230 m
TIPNG saying it would be irresponsible for the government to continue to use public funds for the project, without a full independent Audit.
This all comes after the National Planning Minister had raised concerns over the missing or misuse of K24 million by the National Statistics office.
The anti-corruption NGO stating this in response to media reports that National Planning Minister, Richard Maru, was disappointed that the K230 million NID registration systems were not working.
TIPNG Executive Officer Arianne Kassman says TIPNG shares the Minister’s concern, and has been calling for explanations of the loss or possible misuse of at least K24million and efforts to hold those responsible accountable.
The National Planning Minister recently spoke in the last parliament sitting about the push for NID in districts.
But this all comes after K230 million of public funds was pumped into the project, and to date, only 800,000 plus people have been registered and the Chief National Statistician Roko Koloma, suspended for the alleged misuse or misappropriation of K24 million that had disappeared from his office.
TIPNG says that the recent release of the 2018 Corruption Perceptions Index ranks Papua New Guinea 138 out of 180 countries, with a score of 28 out of 100. And, if the government is serious about combating corruption then it must start by ensuring proper accountability in large public expenditure programs such as the NID Project.
