Govt foresight hailed despite late timing

Nuku MP Joe Sungi making his point.

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, November 13, 2016 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

NUKU MP Joe Sungi has hailed the significance of the National Government’s landmark funding of wards within the country.

He said despite, the late timing in making the historic decision- the step was one that will shine through in 2017 when implemented.

Sungi elaborated that despite the existence of three levels of government- the amount of direct government funds were not trickling down to the direct implementer of government policy.

“The organic law reform has actually got the structure type; the funding has never followed that structure for a very long time,” Sungi said.

“I want to thank the prime minister, his ministers and most importantly my own minister and Deputy Prime Minister (Leo Dion) that got the submission through and the support of NEC.”

“I am happy with my treasurer and my leader (Patrick Pruaitch) who has put the icing on the cake for where it matter most to the rural population in this country.”

The MP added from past experience of the hype and publicity centered around budget formulations in the three levels of government- with no clear sight of funds earmarked for rural development ever reaching villages.

“All the talk about the national budget, provincial budget, LLG budget doesn’t have any meaning if it does not connect the lowest structure at the wards.”

“They will hear about it but they will not touch it.”

“There are 89 of us sitting here as open members including our prime minister. But if there is a trouble in any village in the country the rural part of Papua New Guinea they run to the district, the first person they will run to is the ward member.”

Sungi highlighted instances in the past of national programs being centered around departments and bureaucrats, thus leading to misuse of funds.

“On record, in the past it is hard to find that when you create programs in the name of national programs, I don’t want to name them- the minister and secretary will consume those funds.”

“This is the government that instead of creating national programs for some ministers and secretaries it is putting money straight to the districts LLGs and the wards.”