Robert Ganim

 Ganim is facing one count of misappropriation, one count of abuse of office and official corruption.

The former Wabag MP appeared at the Waigani Committal Court on Tuesday. His lawyer made oral submissions in response to the Police complied hand-up brief, which is also before court.

It is alleged that between May 5, 2013 and January 7, 2017, Ganim fraudulently changed the ownership of a government-issued vehicle belonging to Wabag district administration to his name.

When presenting acquittals for Wabag District for 2015, 2016 and the first half of 2017, current MP Dr Tom said the failure to provide acquittals by his predecessor needed to be rectified, hence time was spent with his administration, sorting out the books.

However, Ganim said Dr Lino’s statement implied that his former administration had never presented any acquittal on the use of district funds between 2015 and 2017.

The 56-year-old was formally arrested this week and slapped with three charges of official corruption, abuse of office and misappropriation of funds.

Details into his arrest will be released soon by the police.

(File pic)

Ganim told Loop PNG from Wabag that despite the challenges faced during the campaign period, he has delivered to the people and they will be making their decision.

“The choice is up to them. As far as I am concerned, I have delivered in this short span of time but will deliver more if given another term,” says Ganim.

Ganim is contesting under the People’s National Congress Party, the biggest coalition party in the government.

He unseated the former deputy prime minister Sam Abal in 2012 elections.

Ganim made the call today after allegations by Polye that he (Ganim) allegedly assault a young lawyer Laken Lepatu Agilo in Wabag last Thursday.

Ganim told Loop PNG that the allegations by Polye were not true and being politicised.

He said Agilo was doing awareness but saying things defamatory against the current Government.

“As the mandated leader, I walked over to the young lawyer and told him to stop and referred him to the police.

“I did not even assaulted him as claimed by Polye,” Ganim said.

Ganim was responding to a Post-Courier's report today (Oct 17 – p5) issued by Roy Kipalan, President of Wabag Rural LLG that "Corruption was so rife in the province" although he did not specifically justify his call.

Ganim who is also the Chairman of the Parliamentary Referral Committee on     Education (PRCE) said comments by Kipalan were malicious in that it was made to     express frustration over his removal as Chairman of Education in the District. Earlier Kipalan was also removed as Deputy Governor (Enga).

"These are words of an angry and disappointed person.

However, it should have been better with the outstanding funding of K7.826 million was given by the Government.

Teaching Service Commission Chairman, Baran Sori who is also the Chairman of the implementation taskforce said one of the biggest task that has now been complete was a data base for teachers.

He said having the correct knowledge of teachers’ recruitment and postings in a given calendar year was very important for Waigani to plan, administer and manage the 57,000 teacher workforce in the country.

However, it should have been better with the outstanding funding of K7.826 million was given by the Government.

Teaching Service Commission Chairman, Baran Sori who is also the Chairman of the implementation taskforce said one of the biggest task that has now been complete was a data base for teachers.

He said having the correct knowledge of teachers’ recruitment and postings in a given calendar year was very important for Waigani to plan, administer and manage the 57,000 teacher workforce in the country.