MP: Release disaster funds

 THE Treasury Department has been urged to release disaster funds for Northern so that relief assistance can be provided to the Tufi and Wanigela areas.

Governor Gary Juffa made the call following a report from the disaster response unit which revealed that the situation in these areas was critical. 

“I have received urgent reports from the disaster response unit and they have done the best they can but we are really at the end of our tethers here,” Juffa said yesterday.

“Funds we had allocated for such situations have run out because the National Government agencies responsible have not refunded us as is required by law. 

“We are going to dissect our funds for other programmes and divert them to this urgent situation. It has been almost one full year since we were promised the funds by the Prime Minister and the Treasury have yet to release the funds. We are talking about people’s lives.  I have been making urgent submission after submission and meeting after meeting and getting nowhere.

“We approach Treasury and we are promised next week and we are always told its coming and yet there is no sign of the funds. 

“People who were unable to do their jobs should be sacked if their negligence was leading to people losing lives.”