The Kikori Gas Pipeline Landowner Association (KGPLA) is a Papua New Guinea landowner association which received PGK 17.6 million [$6.5 million] in funding in 2009 and 2010 from the government for local infrastructure developments in Kikori, Gulf Province, as part of the benefits the country is receiving from ExxonMobil’s $16 billion Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Project in Hides.
The funds had been released by Paul Tiensten’s office without proper project submissions, status reports, accounting or acquittals.
Maipakai alleged that the funds had been paid to four landowner associations, including the KGPLA, but the money had not been expended on any infrastructure projects.
Sarong was alleged to have conspired with the KGPLA accountant to fraudulently sign a Bank South Pacific cheque for a sum of PGK5,458,122 [$2.65 million].
In March 2012 Mark Maipakai, the MP for Kikori, was suspended pending an investigation into allegations of misappropriation of public funds.