Use funds for intended purpose

THE reminder by the Ombudsman Commission to all MPs to comply with processes when disbursing funds ear-marked for services and projects in provinces and districts is timely.
Chief Ombudsman Richard Pagen’s statement this week addressed the lack of compliance in the use of public funds by MPs, especially during the election period.
Unlike previous years, the commission would not put a total freeze on accounts as during the previous election period and would still allow payments provided that proper requisition and procurement processes were followed.
All MPs have always been briefed on the use of public funds during the election period and campaigning from the induction programmes before the first Parliament sitting after every general election. New MPs are told not to use the service improvement programme funds allocated to them for personal gain.
MPs are entitled to so many benefits and privileges.
The money is allocated for developments and service to be delivered to the people who elected MPs to bring them services lacking in their province and electorates.
Any personal expenses by MPs are in their entitlements are covered in their remuneration package.
For ministers, their salary and remuneration packages as approved by the salary and remuneration committee covers all those including vehicles, accommodation – everything.
MPs are the elected representatives of the PNG people.
They have been given their high position to represent the interests of their people and not for their own special interests.
Over the past years, we have seen that those referred to leadership tribunal by the Ombudsman Commission were seen to have abused their discretionary powers by digging into the district and provincial service improvement Programme (DSIP/PSIP) funds.
PSIP, DSIP and local level government service improvement programmes (LLGSIP) funds are collectively known as service improvement programmes (SIPs).
Together, they amount to billions of kina.
They are all administered by committees chaired by local or provincial politicians.
Project funds under the authority of MPs have become an increasingly important part of the PNG budget in the last decade.
At the end of the day, every project acquitted should represent actual development on the ground.
The different programme administrative guidelines clearly outlines the roles and responsibilities of each stakeholder group in this development process and the punitive measures for non-compliance.
While these funds have the potential to make a difference in the lives of remote and rural communities, complaints about corruption and unfinished projects are widespread.
Corruption in public life is, of course, a worldwide problem which has reached very serious proportions in a substantial number of countries – developing and industrialised alike.
Mismanagement is quite a serious issue that is rooted in the bureaucracy of the State.
Politicians printing their names on vehicles bought from Government funding such as the DSIP should know this is not right.
The purpose of DSIP is to ensure that each sector in the district is brought up to a stage we want to see them, like improvement to education, health, infrastructure and law and justice.
It is important for leaders to protect their integrity and do the right thing for themselves as a leader and most importantly, serve the people.
Let us all stand together, work together with a coordinated effort to successfully implement government decisions regarding programmes and development projects.
The DSIP and PSIP funds are specifically for developments.