MINISTER for Finance Hon. Miki Kaeok has made a statement responding to East Sepik Governor Allan Bird over recent unfounded assertions regarding the Ministry’s internal processes, particularly his mischaracterization of an unverified registry list as evidence of improper financial management.
Hon. Kaeok expressed that, it is disappointing that despite the Marape-Rosso government’s substantial financial support to East Sepik Province, Governor Bird has chosen to launch unsubstantiated attacks based on a preliminary administrative document. This behavior not only demonstrates a concerning lack of understanding of basic government processes but also appears to disregard the significant development support his province has received under this government.
For the purpose of procedural clarity, the Ministry of Finance maintains a systematic intake process where claims are registered during designated client days. This preliminary registration, which Governor Bird has misinterpreted, is merely the first step in our comprehensive multi-stakeholder verification framework. The document in question represents an unvetted registry record that has neither undergone departmental scrutiny nor received ministerial consideration.
The list circulated by the Ombudsman Commission remains unverified, and as experienced leaders, we must exercise prudence in disseminating information that could mislead the public and erode confidence in state institutions. Governor Bird’s rush to publicize these unverified claims reflects a concerning gap in his understanding of government financial management systems and processes.
He said, under his leadership and in alignment with Prime Minister James Marape’s vision for fiscal responsibility, they have implemented enhanced oversight mechanisms and strengthened verification protocols. All claims undergo rigorous assessment through the Arrears Vetting Committee (AVC), incorporating technical evaluation, legal verification, and strict compliance checks with the Public Finance Management Act.
The Marape-Rosso government continues to prioritize nation-building and economic management during these challenging global conditions. Rather than engaging in premature allegations based on administrative documents, I encourage Governor Bird to focus on utilizing the substantial resources provided to his province for the benefit of his people.
As the Minister for Finance, he remains committed to maintaining the highest standards of financial prudence and transparency. However, Hon. Kaeok emphasize that responsible leadership requires thorough verification before making public accusations that could unnecessarily undermine public confidence in our financial management systems.
