By LYNETTE KIL
SOCIAL media pundits have been warned not to mislead the public when the country is faced with uncertainty amid the looming Vote-of-No-Confidence (VoNC).
Works and Highways Minister Solan Mirisim made the remarks while refuting claims on social media that the release of K350m to the department was to bribe Members of Parliament (MPs) for votes during the potential VoNC.
“The statement circulating on social media is false and misleading,” he said during a press conference in Port Moresby today.
The Minister, along with Secretary David Wereh, clarified the purpose of the funding.
“The funds were released to offset outstanding payments owed by the government to the contractors engaged in the Connect PNG programme and also other new projects inclusive for this year,” Mirisim said.
“The payment was not intended to pay MPs in relation to the VoNC as claimed on social media.
“Connect PNG is a well-established programme and the country should be expecting such payments annually in the future, including other government priority areas.”
He said the programme, which was initiated in 2020, would be receiving K1 billion annually for 20 years as legislated.
“This programme is not a scam as many people claim; it is real and it is evident everywhere it has been implemented,” Mirisim said.
He said the K350m is for the projects in the four regions, of which K208m has been allocated to offset outstanding payments.
“We paid K54.7 4m to Highlands’ contractors, Southern Region K14.45m, Northern K63.538m and New-Guinea Islands K76.79m,” Mirisim said.
“The remainder is for new contracts.”
