Sundaun failed to show the money

The National National

By JEFFREY ELAPA
THE past Sandaun (West Sepik) provincial government failed to acquit more than K50 million of provincial services improvement programme (PSIP) funds for the past four years, according to Department of Implementation and Rural Development (DIRD).
DIRD said the provincial government had failed to submit its acquittals for 50.91 million of PSIP funds for the fiscal years 2013-2017.
Sandaun provincial government received:

  • K20 million in 2013;
  • K20 million in 2014;
  • K9.1 million in 2015; and,
  • K10 million in 2016.

DIRD said that in 2014 and 2016, the province received K500,000 of provincial support grants and another allocation of K250,000 non-discretionary funds in 2018.
The department said the former regime had failed to acquit all these funds before the elections in 2017.
The good news, however, is that the current provincial government under the leadership of new Governor Tony Wouwou, has completed all acquittals for the K50.91 million and submitted reports to the department on Tuesday this week.
Wouwou, who provided leadership to compile and furnish the financial report for the past four years, said this was done to comply with financial management requirements.
He said it was the responsibility of the former government to compile its report annually, which it failed to do.
“We may not have the best report, but at least it fulfils the requirements, including the Public Finance (Management) Act and necessary policies,” Wouwou said.
“This is to make sure all funds are acquitted.
“It paves way for new funds to be released by Department of Finance and the Department of Implementation and Rural Development.”