Sungi calls for SIP funding review

By HELEN TARAWA
Nuku MP Joe Sungi has called on Government to review the services improvement programme (SIP) funding to properly accommodate the most-remote and difficult districts and local level governments in the country.
Speaking during grievance debate in Parliament on Friday, he said SIP should not been seen as a political funding.
“That is the bottom line – the only source of funds that are going down to reach remote districts and rural areas of this country,” Sungi said.
“It’s almost seven years since provincial and district services improvement programme have been rolled out.
“If we see this as political funding, we will not increase minimum standards and the human development index of this country.
“It’s about time that we relook at how best we can do this.
“Its’ not good for us to deliver cheques and write cheques to give to members of parliament.
“The system should work on its own.”
Sungi said MPs must not be running around for their money.
“We should not be going around collecting cheques like clerks,” he said.
“We are voted into parliament to make laws and legislations.
“Why are we going to officers and bowing down to ministers to get DSIP and PSIP cheques?
“This is not your personnel money.
“This is appropriated under the budget of this country.”
Sungi said the Government needs to revise the PSIP and DSIP funding formula.