ICAC ARRESTS FOUR OVER FUND MISUSE IN NEW IRELAND, JIWAKA

BY LETHISA KOLOKOL

The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has arrested four public servants, one in New Ireland and three in Jiwaka Province for the alleged misappropriation of public funds.

ICAC Commissioner Don Sawong confirmed to the media yesterday, that the current Provincial Administrator and former Chief Executive Officer for Finance and Planning at the New Ireland Provincial Administration, Mr. Richard Andia, has been charged with three counts of corruption-related offences.

“Mr. Andia faces charges of abuse of office, misappropriation of public funds, and false pretence under Sections 91, 383, and 404 of the Criminal Code Act. This is for allegedly facilitating and receiving a K85,000 payment to hire his personal vehicle to the New Ireland Provincial Administration,” Commissioner Sawong said.

In a separate investigation, three public servants from the Jiwaka Provincial Government have also been arrested. They are Executive Officer Kupun Marang, Provincial Financial Manager Siwi Takai, and Provincial Finance Officer Kelly Kumasan.
Commissioner Sawong stated that the charges against Marang relate to K100,000 allegedly misappropriated under the pretext of an asset recovery exercise.

Marang faces a further charge regarding K280,812.43 allegedly paid to his private business, Holy Bush Trading, purportedly for a fencing project.

“Marang has been arrested and charged with two counts of Misappropriation, contrary to Section 383A of the Criminal Code Act 1974. Mr. Takai and Mr. Kumasan have each been arrested and charged with Misappropriation in relation to the alleged dishonest application of that same K280,812.43 payment to Holy Bush Trading,” Commissioner Sawong clarified.

All three Jiwaka officials have been granted bail. They are scheduled to appear in the Minj District Court later this month.
Commissioner Sawong issued a stern warning to public servants, reminding them that the ICAC holds a strict legal mandate under the Papua New Guinea Constitution and the Organic Law on the ICAC to investigate and prosecute anyone who abuses public office or mismanages state resources.