Opposition MPs in Papua New Guinea denied development funds

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Opposition MPs in Papua New Guinea denied development funds

PORT MORESBY: Former prime minister and Ialibu-Pangia MP Peter O’Neill says the Government’s release of Service Improvement Programme (SIP) funds was done in a highly political and discriminatory manner.

Twenty-three districts and two provincial governments have missed out this year’s first payment of SIP funds.

Pomio MP Elias Kapavore said: “All Government MPs received K3 million in SIP funds with Opposition MPs omitted.

“This is totally discriminatory and is a breach to national goals and directive principles that call for equality and participation for every citizen.”

The news break was published by The National:

Grants biased

February 7, 2022The NationalMain Stories

IALIBU-Pangia MP Peter O’Neill says the Government’s release of service improvement programme (SIP) grants was done in a highly political and discriminatory manner.
O’Neill claimed that most electorates represented by members of the Opposition had been left out.
Twenty-three districts and two provincial governments have missed out this year’s first payment of service improvement programme (SIP) funds.
Pomio MP Elias Kapavore said: “All Government MPs received K3 million DSIP with Opposition MPs omitted.
“This is totally discriminatory and is a breach to national goals and directive principles that call for equality and participation for every citizen.”
According to a leaked list from the Finance Department, 23 MPs for open districts and New Ireland and Milne Bay governments did not receive K3 million in SIP funds in the first distribution last week.
The districts include: Vanimo Green, Ambunti-Dreikikier, Ialibu-Pangia, Nipa-Kutubu, Koroba-Lake Kopiago, Mul-Baiyer, Henganofi, Unggai-Bena, Obura-Wonenara, Pomio, Rabaul, Kandrian-Gloucester, Alotau, Esa’ala, Abau, North Fly, Chuave, Kerowaghi, Sinasina-Yongomugl, Karamui-Nomane, Gumine, Kundiawa-Gembogl and Kabwum.
O’Neill said: “This is highly discriminatory to the people who are represented by leaders who hold Government to account.”
Treasurer Ian Ling-Stuckey yesterday said SIP funds were paid when cash flow was available.
He confirmed that first payment of SIP funds were issued on Friday.
Ling-Stuckey added that once funding became available, the second payment would be made to MPs.
“Same as last year, SIPs were disbursed in several tranches but end of year all districts and provinces received K10 million each,” he said.
O’Neill said: “It is a deliberate misuse of public funds by the Marape Government to fund its political agenda.
“The people must never be victims of our political infighting and greed.
“It is obviously a desperate attempt by a government that has failed our people in about every aspect of service delivery.
“The Central Bank and the Finance and Treasury Departments are being used as a cash cow for Government MPs while Opposition MPs and essential business of government, public service are being starved.
“It is a crying shame that Government departments operations are at a standstill due to lack of funds.
“Example, many of PNG’s high commissions and embassies and their staff have not been paid for months while Government MPs are paying themselves.
“This is a serious and criminal neglect of the Government’s responsibility to the people and the country.
“While our people are being starved of their rightful funds, the Marape Government is front-loading its pockets for political survival.
“The Ombudsman Commission is sleeping and the Police Force is complicit and bends to the Prime Minister’s will, and the Central Bank, Treasury and Finance and Planning departments are being raided, PNG is burning and in ruins.”