MPs’ use of funds queried

 By CLIFFORD FAIPARIK

Political Parties Registrar Dr Alphonse Gelu has expressed concern over Members of Parliament delivering projects using public funds right up to the eve of the 2017 national election. 

“I think we need to review the laws on the integrity of political parties and candidates or the Organic Law on National and Local Level Government elections,” he said. “We can draw a line in consultation with the Ombudsman Commission. 

“But then you cannot draw a clear line because on one hand the Government of the day has a responsibility to deliver to the people. 

“On the other hand, people will misinterpret that the Government is enticing voters.

“I strongly believe that there should be a law put in place and we can take it up with political parties and candidates to draw a line that six months before the issues of writs, all MPs should stop delivering projects using district services improvement programme funds. 

“We really need to do it in PNG.

“ If we don’t, the current and future MPs will continue doing it.” 

Gelu said MPs should not be blamed for the late delivery of programmes as sometimes they got funds late. “Many of the MPs have not received their DSIP funds due to the current economic woes. Sometimes it is suspicious for MPs not getting their DSIP funds quickly,” he said. 

“So those are the issues. But then it will be unfair for other candidates as the current MPs will have the advantage over them. 

“And the people will also have doubts that they have been suffering for four years and on the last year of the MP’s term, suddenly programmes are being delivered.” 

Gelu said  the Ombudsman Commission had already issued a directive in 2007 for MPs not to deliver projects using district service improvement programme funds six months before the issue of writs 

“And I think the MPs at that time took heed of that directive.”