Arts, Culture and Tourism Minister Boka Kondra to face Leadership Tribunal

THE office of the Public Prosecutor yesterday requested the Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia to appoint a leadership tribunal to enquire into the allegations of misconduct against North Fly MP Boka Kondra who is Arts, Culture and Tourism Minister.

This follows an earlier referral by the Ombudsman Commission against Mr Kondra in relation to allegations of misapplication of District Services Improvement Program Funds (DSIP).

The subject of the referral relates to allegations that the leader may have misapplied K85,276 from the DSIP funds and District Support Grant (DSG).

The funds were allegedly used for unintended purposes and in this case, it was used to pay for office rentals for North Fly Open electorate when MPs are paid electoral allowances which were in-built in their fortnightly salary for accommodation rentals.

The leader was also alleged to have misapplied K134,966.62 from DSIP and DSG funds in rental payments for accommodation for himself and for his family in Port Moresby.

He was further alleged to have misapplied K18,200 from the DSIP and DSG funds to service his outstanding 2007 National Election debts. The personal debt came about as a result of the leader hiring a motor vehicle from a company named as Towi Smash Repairs during the 2007 national general elections.

Public Prosecutor Pondros Kaluwin said he had perused the file and found that there was sufficient, cogent and credible evidence to refer the matter to an appropriate Leadership Tribunal.

Sir Salamo will go through the referral and decide on an appropriate tribunal to hear the allegations against the leader.

Mr Kondra’s referral follows on the heels of Manus Open MP Ronny Knight who last month had been referred to the Public Prosecutor to decide whether the Chief Justice should set up a leadership tribunal to hear misuse of office allegations against him.

Other leaders who have run foul with the law through the normal court system this year include Gulf Governor Havila Kavo, and Komo-Margarima MP Francis Potape who are both awaiting sentencing.

A total of 15 MPs are being investigated by police for alleged white collar crimes, including official corruption and misappropriation.

PNG Today/Post Coureir