Bonga presents K4m plan for Nawaeb district

By JUNITA SOL GOMA
NAWAEB MP Timothy Bonga yesterday presented a K4 million plan for his district to the Rural Development Office (RDO).
This is the first part of the K10 million that was budgeted for each district.
The district plan will concentrate on four major components that have been specified by the Government before breaking down the supplementary budget last month.
“It is a requirement that all members must submit their district plans to the RDO for assessment and appraisal before any implementation could be done” Mr Bonga said.
He said that this was the first time in PNG history to get district funds of over K30,000 for development and infrastructure services.
He said the plan covered the district’s needs for education, health, law and justice and water supply.
“Nawaeb is a big district and the part that is in the heart of Lae town really needs a good water supply system,” he said.
RDO director Paul Sai gave his assurance that his office would take the responsibility and would ensure that the plans get implemented.
Mr Sai said Nawaeb was among half of the 89 districts to submit their plans.
He also said that the plans would be assessed and when they receive submissions from the joint district planning budget priority committee (JDPBPC) and the funds are released from the trust account, they would start facilitating its implementation.
“It is a law under the provincial and LLG Act that all district plans must come to this office before anything else is done,” the head of RDO said.
Implementation of the Nawaeb district plans would kick start in January next year.
Mr Bonga said that the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) would be keeping a close eye on how each of the 89 districts will be using their share of the K890 million.
“It is my responsibility to see that Government money goes to the right people for the right purpose.
“I will not stop here, I will go back to the districts and if it means to investigate public servants in my own area, I will do it,” he said.
Mr Bonga stressed that such funds were vital for building the rural communities and no MP should use this for self gain.
He added that every project must have verifications on the exact sites and reasons for the projects with evidence of the local community needing them.
Meanwhile, the PAC was investigating the Departments of Education, Health and Lands and would be carrying out inquests into the Parliament House, National Housing Corporation, National Maritime resources and Government Statutory Bodies next year. Mr. Bonga said from the PAC reports, improvements could be made and never to repeat such mistakes in future.
He discouraged the practice of finger-pointing and name calling, saying they would not solve any of our problems.