By ELIZABETH VUVU
RESETTLERS of the volcanic eruptions in East New Britain have urged the provincial government to shed some light on project allocations of a K20 million disaster fund from the National Government.
Concerned leaders from the Sikut Resettlement; Robin Papat and Cedric Victor claimed that since the Sept 19, 1994, and October 2006 eruptions, they had been dumped in several parts of the province with very little assistance.
They were now questioning what was happening to the promised K20 million that they believed had been budgeted for the purchase of several plantations in which to resettle the people.
A reliable source said some of the plantations were still undergoing an assessment on their value but not all K20 million will be spent on purchasing plantations.
According to an information paper from the provincial government, the K20 million disaster fund for ENB has been budgeted for according to priority projects which require attention following the volcanic eruptions to minimise the risk of the affected population.
A paper had been before the PEC seeking approval on the disaster fund management plan and project activity implementation schedule.
Within the K20 million management plan, K5 million is proposed for land mobilisation, infrastructure K8 million, K750,000 for water supply, construction K1.5 million, radio relay station K1 million, and soil erosion K500,000.
Also included outstanding costs for 2006 eruption is K2 million, school fee subsidy for affected areas is K1 million, and health is K250,000, all totalling up to K20 million.
The disaster funds were structured to be managed by the department of finance in Waigani, according to the trust deed; however the province saw the need to implement certain projects within a certain time frame.
ENB provincial administration then requested amendments for convenience purposes, the funds were then transferred to a local bank in the province.
The provincial government is now responsible for the implementation of the disaster priority projects in a sustainable manner that would meet the need for a larger effected population.