Opposition MPs still waiting

 DEPUTY Opposition leader Sam Basil, pictured, questioned the Government yesterday why it was withholding part of 2013 District Services Improvement Programme funds from MPs in the opposition.

In a question without notice to Prime Minister Peter O’Neil, Basil asked why he was preaching about 2014 as a year of implementation while withholding funds from the six Opposition MPs.

They are yet to receive the balance of K7 million from the 2013 DSIP funds.

Basil told Parliament that people of Wau- Bulolo, Vanimo Green, Huon Gulf, Rabaul and Pomio were being deprived of the DSIP funds.

O’Neill in response advised Basil to visit the Finance Minister at Vulipindi Haus and discuss the matter with him there.

“Some government MPs didn’t receive their full K10 million DSIP funds. It is not only the Opposition MPs,” O’Neill said.

“The government is not being discriminatory towards the Opposition MPs.”

Basil later told journalists that the Government was “discriminatory”. 

He said the people of the six electorates were missing on vital government services and developments.

“This government is not a responsible government. 

“How can 2014 be a year of implementation when the remaining K7 million of the K10 million funds is not released on time? 

“This is 2014 and we (Opposition MPs) are still waiting for our 2013 DSIP funds.”