By JOE KANEKANE
PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (April 20, 2000 - The Independent)---Members of Parliament have received a total of K7,765,627 (2.9 million US$) from the National Gaming Board. About K3,300,000 (1.2 million US$) was handed out in cash while K2,664,800 (1 million US$) was used to purchase ambulances. Another K2,211,827 (850,000 US$) was allocated for other related purposes.
According to documents made available to The Independent, most of the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) party members received assistance from the Gaming Board in 1999.
The party had about 42 members of parliament in their camp at the time of the disbursement.
Members formally write to the board requesting financial assistance. The board then deliberates at length before deciding on other requests for funding from the community.
The largest amount of K670,000 (268,000 US$) went to Alotau Open MP Iairo Lasaro. Records show he was allocated K600,000 in cash, K50,000...