Finance Dept to stop entertaining project proposals

National, Normal
Source:

The National, Wednesday July 17th, 2013

 THE Finance Department will not entertain any more project proposals, Finance Minister James Marape says.

He also issued a directive to that all district and provincial treasurers and departmental heads not to front-load 100% of project funds. 

Marape said his department was collaborating with Treasury and National Planning departments to accepting project proposals at the Vulupindi House headquarters.

“Waigani and Vulupindi House are becoming a pool of project submissions by proponents. Those who know how the system of Waigani works nurture the growth of a paper submission industry,” he told Parliament during a debate on a report by National Planning Minister Charles Abel on social development grants.

“Project proponents will now have to work with LLGs and districts and provinces or sector agencies so that their projects align with government and sector plans. Done are the days when friends of ministers or public servants bring submissions to central agencies,” he said.

Marape described the social development grants as “misfired development grants” that had been misappropriated through certain individuals and groups.

He added funds were intended to support the churches for their health and education programmes but according to the report only a few submitted acquittals.

He said during 2008-11, PNG experienced consistent budget surpluses and funds were in trust accounts to support social programmes.

“It is quite sad today that we are left with sad memories and littered skeleton of missed opportunities, where funds were disbursed on an adhoc basis,” he said.

Marape said as the National Government was shifting its focus to the districts and local level governments, all project submissions follow proper procedures and processing channels.