MPs must stop cash handout for projects

yutok, Post Courier, Wednesday October 12, 2011

THE practice by MPs of giving cash from electoral funds to their electorates be it DSIP funds or whichever, must follow proper procedures of use for such public funds. This is to enable proper accountability and transparency of the use of these public funds.
Direct cash handout is corruption which is no different from a government minister issuing cheques to private people or businesses. DSIP funds can be used in a better manner by the national MPs. A minimum of K10 million per district for a total of 89 districts amounts to K890 million used every year by MPs, most of which are not properly accounted for. The NADP funds for the last few years under the previous Sir Michael Somare’s government were not seen by the public to be distributed transparently for their stated purpose but most of it were allegedly distributed to cronies for political purposes.
If the Government can use these funds for rural airstrips for instance, the people will have real benefits instead of the many “verbal projects” that we hear about but never see the light of day.

Bob Makau