Abel, Kora to ensure justice

NATIONAL Planning and Monitoring minister Charles Abel has directed department secretary Dr Peter Kora to ensure those implicated in the abuse of funds in the last government face justice.
In a brief meeting with staff of the Department of National Planning and Monitoring, yesterday, Abel said the main instigators behind the abuse of funds must be suspended.
He directed Kora to ensure due process and procedures were carried to realise that.
He said as instructed by the Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, the department would no longer be dealing with funds because of the temptation to misuse money by past ministers.
He said that responsibility had now been given to line agencies.
Abel said he wanted the department to revisit Vision 2050 to ensure it was realistic and that its plans were implemented over the next five years.
“I want the National Statistics Office to be competent,” he said
He said the statistics office must be able to provide updated integrated information solutions for the department to use in planning.
He also said the rapid population growth in the country was a major challenge that needed to be controlled.
Abel said the symptoms of a rapid population growth were now showing in limited resources.
“We talk of symptoms but we are not attacking the problem,” he said.
“We can’t continue building more new schools and mining new areas to meet population demand.”
Kora assured Abel of the department’s support, saying they looked forward to working with him.
“We will review V2050 to ensure it’s realistic and achievable and not repeat things,” Kora said.
He said they were excited to help the new members of parliament in getting their funds.