Caption: Planning Minister Charles Abel.
By MATTHEW VARI
NATIONAL Planning Minister Charles Abel made the comments when responding to concerns raised by Institute of National Affairs Director Paul Barker regarding the increased funds to districts and issue of mismanagement, at the 2015 budget lockup.
While acknowledging the mismanagement, through audits of DSIP (District Services Improvement Program) funds, he also reminded those present that the funds going down to rural areas were really making a difference.
He also reiterated the commitment by the government to strengthen and support districts to transparently utilize the new found growing wealth flowing to them.
“The fact of having more money down there has made a difference,” Minister Abel said.
“Though it’s down there, if squandered, at least it is down there where it can be seen and where people who are in charge are held accountable.”
He also commented on the auditing process of the funds to also report on the positive developments and outcomes in the districts- where they should be going rather then being holed up in Waigani.
Adding that many district in the country were now finally seeing development at a rapid pace than they had ever seen before .
“Whilst there are problems, we should also encourage the positives, because in the past monitoring of funds was not accounted for to the tune of K7 billion unaccounted for through various trust accounts.”
He said of the numerous trust accounts set up through successive governments, the O’Niell-Dion Government was committed to putting all funds sitting in such accounts to good used for the betterment of the whole country.
“We have to change our attitude and that will happen if there is a paradigm shift to tell those in control that just because money is there sitting in those accounts- it does not mean you can steal it.”
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