OPPOSITION CALLS FOR PROBE INTO ALLEGED MISUSE OF K1 BIL SME FUNDS

CAPTION: Opposition Leader and Chuave MP, James Nomane

BY NIGEL MADO

OPPOSITION Leader James Nomane and Abau MP Sir Puka Temu have called on Prime Minister James Marape to order an independent investigation into allegations that nearly K1 billion allocated to Papua New Guinea’s Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) programme since 2022 has been misappropriated.

Speaking at a media conference, the Opposition leaders claimed the annual K200 million allocation for SME development had been fully spent but questioned whether the funding had reached its intended beneficiaries.

Nomane said the allegations warranted an immediate investigation by the Auditor-General and law enforcement agencies, while Sir Puka urged authorities to scrutinise every payment made under the programme.

He said the Auditor-General has to go in there with a fine-tooth comb and check every single payment.

He said investigators should verify the ownership of companies that received funding through records held by the Investment Promotion Authority and determine who the directors were and whether there were any conflicts of interest.

Sir Puka described the allegations as serious, saying cases involving the alleged misapplication or misappropriation of public funds required swift administrative and criminal investigations.

He stated that this is a serious issue of accountability… this is a serious criminal allegation.

The Opposition also called on the Prime Minister to remove the Minister responsible for Commerce and Industry while investigations are carried out.

Mr Nomane said the allegations raised broader concerns about the management of public money intended to support small businesses across the country.