Former MP says district received K41.5mil in forty-two months

THE Kandep development authority (DDA) received about K41.5 million of district service improvement programme (DSIP) funds over a three and half year period, former MP Alfred Manase says.
Manase, who was ousted from his position as Kandep MP after a court ordered recount, told people at Kandep Station, Enga, last Saturday, that the total expenditures of DSIP funds for development and investments over the course of 42 months amounted to K30 million with a remaining balance of K10 million.
“The different sectors received funding depending on their needs; road and bridge infrastructures received the biggest cut with K10.5 million and had a K3 million balance for this year,” he said.
“The health sector received K6.7 million; 18 aid posts and six health centres received K1.7 million, the Kandep District Hospital received almost K5 million and the remaining balance was K3.3 million.
“Most of the health facilities were rundown and some closed, however, now facilities have been improved and all are operating.”
Manase said the education sector received K4.7 million, with a remaining balance of K600,000; 21 primary schools received funding for infrastructure improvements at the cost of K1.3 million.
“K1.7 million was spent on two new teachers’ houses, maintenance of other staff houses, a new students’ mess, and classrooms at Kandep High School.
He said the Andait Technical Vocational Education Training Centre received K450,000 while K135,000 was given to five elementary schools and K1.5 million was spent on school fees.
Manase said the agriculture sector received K4.3 million with a balance K2.3 million; law and order received K1.9 million, balance K150,000; and, churches received K1.1 million with a balance of K250,000.
“I am happy that all churches built with local materials have been replaced with roofing iron and timber.
“I am thankful to the DDA for being supportive in delivering change to the district.”
Manase said the DSIP funding was available but were misused in the past and he had used the funds wisely within a short period of time to improve services in the district.