K100million ‘lost’
23/9/08
Records of K100 million in public funds allocated to the National Forest Authority have gone missing according to the Auditor General’s office, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) hearing found yesterday. There are no records kept of K100 million in the period 1999-2005, First Secretary to the Auditor General Andy Vui told the PAC hearing which began at Parliament yesterday. “No records, or sufficient accounts and documents were provided by the PNGFA to enable us to carry out an audit from 1999-2005,” Mr Vui said. PAC chairman Timothy Bonga grilled the NFA for not being able to manage its own budgets. “If the authority cannot manage its own internal budgets and cannot keep even basic accounting records, how can it be expected to manage our forests?” he asked. “There appears to be no oversight control, coercion or assistance to the authority by the Finance Department.” HE blasted Secretary for Finance Mr Gabriel Yer for his silence and inaction despite warnings from the Auditor General.
See: http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20080923/tuhome.htm
Tags: Corruption, Environment, PNG