Morobe Provincial Government (MPG)

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Lands, Physical Planning & Urbanisation, John Rosso, made the clarification, saying the money was an allocated funding under the 2023 National Budget for the Wafi-Golpu project area, as he dispelled rumors that the money was being paid to Morobe Governor, Luther Wenge, to join PANGU Pati.

“What a ludicrous claim,” said Rosso.

“Our good governor of Morobe is no amateur. The honourable Luther Wenge is a senior leader of the country who is never bought or sold.

A councillor in Salamaua LLG’s ward 17, in the Huon Gulf district, issued their plea once again during a recent meet with the Cocoa Board of PNG in Lae.

Morobe Province used to be ranked fifth in terms of cocoa production in the country.

This is in relation to the K5 million allocation by Governor Luther Wenge for single mothers, divorcees and widows.

The Widow, Divorced, Single and Struggle (WDSS) Association, which has more than 200 sub-associations in Morobe Province, has reportedly been collecting registration fees from women in rural Morobe.

“This is where the confusion is,” clarified Babafi Trust coordinator, Ps Setefano Kepe. 

The announcement was made early this year while proper mechanisms, including a structure, were yet to be implemented.

While the Morobe Provincial Government (MPG) created ‘Babafi Trust’ to register marginalised women in the 10 districts, including preachers, certain individuals went ahead and started collecting “registration fees” from women.

Morobe Governor, Luther Akisawa Wenge this week presented K20,000 cash to participants of a Tour Guide Training Program at Kamkumung.

The funding was presented at International Healing Ministry and will benefit more than 100 participants in preparation for the 2023 P&O Cruise Ship visit to Morobe.

Governor Wenge said the rich cultural activities and ecosystems of Morobe Province must be supported and embraced accordingly.

“Yumi mas luktautim Tokples na tumbuna singsing belong yumi lo Morobe.”

His administration is aware of people claiming payment of services rendered during the campaign period, with most of these claims adding up to over K20,000 per group.

“I have a book of claims,” the Governor stated. “I will go through them one by one to find out what services you’re claiming for and whether it was approved by the tender board.

“All of them, I am going to literally check them"

People from the 10 districts of Morobe Province gathered as early as 6am on Wednesday, December 21^st, expecting to receive payment for services rendered to the Morobe Provincial Government, and especially to Governor Luther Wenge.

Most of them had donated foodstuff, including livestock, or built campaign huts and stages for the incumbent governor during the campaign period this year.

 Others were scrutineers, had lent their vehicles, physical labour or were yet to get funding to procure services for the provincial government.

Morobe Governor, Ginson Saonu, on the 16th of June presented the cheque to NBC’s managing director, Kora Nou, in Lae.

Morobe Deputy Provincial Administrator, corporate services, Miring Singoling, outlined that the commitment was part of a memorandum of understanding that was signed between MPG and NBC.

“Aninit lo displa MoU, it’s a 5-year understanding that province bai putim a certain amount of money every year i go inap 5 years and after 5 years, we’ll put together ideas on how to build and improve infrastructure here,” he stated.