What twin shrouds of shame?

I REFER to your editorial “Budget’s twin shrouds of shame” (Nov 17) regarding the DSIP and PSIP.
I object strongly to the description of these important programmes.
DSIP and PSIP programmes were set up as a last resort as under the “Vulupindi mafia”, no goods and services were reaching the people in the rural areas.
I do not have to remind you of the stealing that went on, carried out sometimes by very senior public servants.
The stealing is still happening but in a more discreet way. 
Still hundreds of millions of kina are mismanaged, misused or stolen in Port Moresby today.
The budgeting of the DSIP and PSIP programmes is the only avenue left to MPs to provide development in their districts.
The programme is not perfect, and as you pointed out as it is open to abuse, and this may happen in certain places.
But come to Milne Bay and ask the people of Samarai or Alotau what they think.
Under this programme, the Alotau water front is transforming itself and it is becoming the most attractive town in PNG.
Projects in the district under DSIP are now transforming the lives of our people with better transport, roads and opportunity for people to sell their produce.
For them, the “twin shrouds of shame” are the lights at the end of the tunnel.

John Luke Crittin
Milne Bay Governor