Cash source unknown: BPNG

By DALE LUMA
IT is yet to be confirmed whether the bundles of Kina notes recovered by people from a swamp in Port Moresby are genuine, and who the owner is, says the Bank of Papua New Guinea.
The bank’s acting governor Benny Popoitai told The National that the bank would perceive the money as legal tender, although nobody knows where it came from.
“For the record, I have not seen any of those (cash) that have been retrieved and I can’t confirm if it’s genuine money, fake or whatever,” Popoitai said.
“There is no law suggesting that the money should be returned (to the owner). (It’s) unclear who owns the money.
“It will also be difficult for anyone to return the money.”
Bundles of Kina notes spewed from a sewer were found by people in a swamp after a boy alerted everyone that he had found bundles of notes there.
Popoitai also urged people to open back accounts and deposit their money there instead of keeping cash at home.
“If you keep money in your house, shop or wherever, you face the risk of (losing it),” he said.
“You open a bank account and deposit (your money) into your bank account.
“If you lose it (at home) it’s no one else’s responsibility.” The police are still silent on the cash discovery.
People living at Morata, 8-Mile and Waigani have been flocking to the swamp to swim around the water looking for money.
Health secretary Dr Osborne Liko said the people were obviously exposing themselves to health risks.