Caption: Sam Basil (with microphone)
addressing the Secretary for Finance Dr Ngangan (red tie)
By MATTHEW VARI
Sunday, December 8, 2013 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)
MEMBER for
Wau Bulolo and Deputy Opposition Leader Sam Basil created, what many described
as history last Friday when he fronted up at the Finance Department premises at
the Vulupindi Building front entrance in Waigani, and demanded the remainder
his people’s District Support Improvement Program (DSIP) funds.
He gave a
deadline of December 31 for the department to give his district’s funds, and
vowed to return with his people on the January 10.
Clearly frustrated,
the MP spoke of the various tactics used by those at the department of finance
to delay payment to not only his electorate, but also the electorate of his
fellow Opposition members.
A crowd of
almost 200 supporters and onlookers gathered to hear the leader speak of the
various reasons to why he resorted to front up at the ministry’s entrance.
“When I
speak in Parliament about what is rightfully our, they say their doors are open
for me to go and discuss with them. Why!"
“Why am I to
come and see the minister- will I come and tell stories with them only.”
“No! I will
not go and see the minister; it is the money of the Bulolo District.”
He called on
Finance Secretary Dr Ken Ngangan as to why and DSIP funds were being carried
around to make Members look like people not respected, or like plantation
labourers that line to get their funds.
Basil said
that the funds were supposed to go in as an electronic transfer to every
district account, in the form of four quarterly payments.
“For example
of the K10 million, we must be paid K2.5 million each quarter so we can conform
to our cash flow and we will not disrupt it.”
“To date
government MPs have got K10 million, and we opposition MPs have received K3
million- with two million still to be cleared.”
“Mr
Secretary to come out and tell us here in front of the media and the people if
you holding on to our cheque or not.”
“Has it
already been written out but is being held back with a lot of excuses given,”
he asked the secretary.
The MP told
those present that he did do not want the government to hold members at ransom to
line up like cargo boys on a plantation waiting for their peoples dues.
“We in the
opposition, we are not a lot- there is only six of us.”
“What damage
are we going to make to the government of the day?”
He said that
they were not a threat to the government and they could not be punished
further.
Basil told
the crowd that the building was the one that distributed money from the
consolidated revenues of the country for the country.
“I am very
disappointed that I have become a beggar that I have to come here and beg from
my own house.”
Secretary
Ngangan responded to the MP, saying that DSIP was a government program,
highlighting that a good number of members in government also were in the same
boat.
“I am aware
that on a minimum basis we have distributed about K3 million to a Member.”
“A lot of
members in the Government to have not received their K10 million yet, and they
are complaining also.”
“I am a
public servant and I support the government to deliver the funds.”
“I can
assure everyone that I will make sure that every Member of Parliament get their
K10 million, but again it comes back to the government of the day.”
“I will make
sure on my part that it is fulfilled before the end of this month and I will
make it my business to deliver the K10 million.”
Basil
disagreed with the secretary’s explanation, saying that many MPs in government
had revealed that they had received their funds in full.
“You are
saying that the payment of my people’s money is subject to your boss the
Minister of Finance, and awaiting government advice.”
“I have
friends on the government side and they have showed me their cheques that they
have been given their funds.”
“Those are
misleading statements you have given me, and I want to asy that you have lied
to me in front of the people.”
He gave the
department the ultimatum for the money to be put into the district account.
“If it is
not given to the Wau Bulolo people, you will see me and 100 times over the
crowd that is here now, and we will come and demand for what is rightfully ours.”
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