SOLOMON IS: Tsunami relief aid diverted to government project
Updated
The Premier of Solomon Islands' Western Province says he is outraged by the national government's move to divert funds meant for tsunami rehabilitation work. In April about 35-thousand people from Western Province lost their homes and livelihoods in a tsunami which killed 52 people.
Presenter: Sam Seke
Speakers: Alex Lokopio, Premier of Solomon Islands' Western Province
LOKOPIO: Some months ago I came to Honiara, had a talk with the Prime Minister and the Financial Minister if we could get some money that can be given to a special committee that will be formed from the Western Province, so that that committee or body can coordinate and use the money direct to the tsunami affected areas. And we had an agree on that one, and that's how the Asian Development Bank came in, with financial package. And this amount is well over I think 50 million, and this money is supposed to be spent on the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the Western Province, including Choiseul. But just a few days ago I heard from the central government that they have diverted this fund out from its original purpose to be given to the parliamentarian. I feel very upset and I'm now in Honiara to talk with the national authority about this issue.
SEKE: So from what you are hearing they're now saying that the money will be allocated to national politicians to be used not specifically for tsunami reconstruction work?
LOKOPIO: Exactly, I think they are trying to divert this money because they are trying to implement their programs, that is a bottom-up approach and the … don't have enough money to fund those programs so maybe this way they are looking at money that's available to help the tsunami affected area and give the money to the parliamentarians so that they can implement their bottom-up approach. I really want to find out why they sort of divert the funds because this money is specifically for the disaster and not for bottom-up approach.
SEKE: Premier there were thousands of people made homeless following the tsunami, the April tsunami now, how are they taking this diversion of funds meant to assist them?
LOKOPIO: I think most of the people in the Western Province and I'm sure Choiseul, they are very disappointed about this, because we have been living with expectation for the last two to three months, when will the help come to help them. I'm not sure up to this stage whether they will give to the members maybe in the Western Province, and they are the one … to manage the money and the current rehabilitation program. But even that it will be very difficult for any member to handle such money. That's why in the Western Province we have setup a body, a committee, it will not be part of my government but I will leave this body as an independent body so that they can concentrate in doing the work that can really reach out to the victims.
