By: Marc Membrere
10 Electoral Constituencies have had their funding from the Governments’ $1 million tala Development Project suspended for breach of guidelines, Cabinet Minister and member of the current Administration’s $1 million project Steering Committee La’auli Leuatea Polataivao Fosi has revealed.
Speaking to the media over the weekend, La’auli cited the unauthorized distribution of the $200,000 initial allocation. The funds were to build fund infrastructure and hire personnel as well as cover operational costs.
But La’auli says in some constituencies the funds were distributed as payment in advance for property leases where the District Centers will be housed.
This said the Cabinet Minister contradicts the spending allocation of the $200,000.For instance, $132,000 is to fund the construction of the center, $32,000 for operational (electricity and water bill) costs and the balance of $32,000 for the wages of staff and allowances of Committee Members.
Once that is completed, the constituency is required to submit three reports which are:• Financial statements on the use of the initial $200,000 and a Letter from the Auditor• 4 Year District development Plan• A Report on how the $1 million will be utilised
The disbursement of the $1 million is not all at once, the first lot will be $150,000 to be utilised for operational costs at the District Development Center.
This leaves $850,000, and the first half of this amount will be distributed to kick-off the projects, with the remaining half to be distributed before the end of the financial year.
La’auli further added that the steering committee will continue with the project plans while it conducts a review on the suspended 10 constituencies.
PHOTO: Marc Membrere
