Via the Solomon Star: Temotu premier concern over relief funds. Apparently last week's earthquake and tsunami have opened an old political wound. Excerpt:
Temotu Premier Fr Brown Beu says all funds towards the relief and recovery effort towards the disaster should be channelled through Temotu provincial account.
Speaking to the paper yesterday he said this is to avoid what happened to funds allocated for the Western province during the 2007 tsunami funds where some of the funds are being mismanaged.
“This must not be repeated.”
The premier said they have established a disaster committee that oversees the despatch of the relief funds to the affected areas.
Provincial secretary Ambrose Palusi was the chairperson and it comprised of other authorities in Lata such as police members.
“I warned the committee must be accountable particularly proper records is important to ensure transparency is upheld.”
He said channel funds through government institutions such as the national disaster management office - NDMO sometimes has political influence and the funds not used for its intended purpose.
“I appeal to Red Cross and national disaster management office not to bow down to political influence because I don’t want corruption to creeps in.”
In a statement from the Opposition Office last week it said the Government must ensure that funds for the Temotu tsunami relief programme are used for their purpose and are fully accounted for unlike what happened to the 2007 Western Province tsunami funds.
