Basil accuses Marape of holding on to Bulolo money

The Bulolo district services improvement programme (DSIP) saga has taken on a new twist with Bulolo MP Sam Basil now saying that Finance Minister James Marape wants certain conditions to be met before the money is released.

Basil, who last Friday led a peaceful protest to Vulupindi Haus demanding the immediate release of K7 million in outstanding DSIP funds, said Marape had stooped so low in trying to find ways to frustrate the DSIP funds for Bulolo.

“This is uncalled for and brings the reputation of Mr Marape to an all-time low,” he said.

Basil said on Monday, a finance staffer from Vulupindi Haus, upon instructions from Marape, called the district treasury office in Bulolo asking for a five-year development plan and a joint district planning and budget priorities committee plan before the funds were released.

“Why does it have to be Bulolo only and what about other MPs that picked up their district’s DSIP cheques in Parliament House last week?” he said.

“Were the other MPs asked to provide their five-year development plans last week before delivering the cheques to them?

“Just for their information, our five-year plan will be finalised after Morobe Plan is confirmed by Tutumang (Morobe provincial assembly) in order to avoid duplication of projects as seen in the past.

Basil claimed Marape was still fuming over allegations he made that a company owned by the minister had blocked his staff from entering Vulupindi Haus last week.

“ If Mr Marape has taken over the responsibilities of the Office of Rural Development, Planning Department , and Provincial and Local Government Affairs,  then I challenge him to publish the

names of all districts and provinces that have already submitted their five-year plans and have since received their K10 million DSIP and K5 million public services improvement programme (PSIP) per district,” he said.

“Marape should also announce the audit of all of this year’s DSIP funds of K10 million and PSIP funds of K5 million per district,  with acquittals to be made available to all relevant departments to check,  before having access to the 2014 DSIP of  all districts and provinces in the first quarter of 2014.

“The same should be applied to the local level government services improvement programme (LLGSIP) of K500, 000 for the 3,000-plus LLGs in PNG.

“The people are watching and are judging the O’Neil-Dion Government and the kind of attitude that the Finance Minister has displayed so far only contradicts the government of the day.

“That is to silence and diminish the Opposition.”

Western Highlands Development Forum gives K22,000 to rural health centres

Western Highlands Development Forum (WHDF) Incorporated has donated K22, 000 to three rural health centres in Western Highlands
At the fourth WHDF annual gala reception held at the American Corner in the National Library, which was officiated by US Ambassador Walter North, WHDF handed over K15, 000 to representative of three recipients. 

Ambassador Walter North deliver his keynote speech.

WHDF treasurer Bafino Koi hands over K5,000 to Thomas Paka of Koibuga Health Centre while Garry Laka looks on.

WHDF treasurer Bafino Koi hands over K5,000 to Nick Laki of Tinsley Health Centre while Samson Komati and Clivson Philip look on.

WHDF chairman Samson Komati with some guests.

The rural health centres which received K5, 000 each are Koibuga in Nebiliyer, Tinsley in Baiyer, and Kuruk in Mul districts in WHP.
An additional K7, 000 was pledged by three generous Western Highlanders: K5, 000 by George Bopi Kereka for Koibuga, K1, 000 by Nick Laki for Tinsley, and K1, 000 by John Noki for Kuruk.
The K22, 000 donations by WHDF and its members will go towards the purchase of 15kv power generator for Koibuga and bed frames and other equipment for maternity wards in Tinsley and Kuruk. 
The executive committee of WHDF will be handing over the funds to the respective officers- in-charge of the three health centres in the last week of December 2013.
Chairman, Samson Komati, said WHDF was a registered non-political, non-profit, independent think-tank, and a development vehicle and forum representing more than 10,000 educated and professional men and women from, of, or related to Western Highlands who were living and working anywhere in PNG and overseas.
“Every year, the WHDF organises social events aimed at uniting all the elites of the province, including raising of funds to donate to worthy causes in the Western Highlands community,” he said.
“In 2012, the WHDF helped facilitate a total of K700, 000 through the Law and Justice Sector Program with Department of National Planning and Monitoring and funded the development of two big community justice and resource centres at Kongra village and Telga village in Neibiyer district.
“Also in 2012, the WHDF raised almost K300, 000 from the Government of Japan through its GGP Program to fund eight new classrooms at three schools in Jiwaka province.
“A total of K1 million has been privately raised and expanded to develop important community development projects in Western Highlands under the WHDF Inc.
"One of the ambitious projects the WHDF seeks to undertake in 2014 is to work closely with the US Government through the Embassy of the USA in Port Moresby to establish an American Corner in Mt Hagen City so that all Western Highlands elites and the general public have access to internet facilities for research and connection with learning institutions in the USA for further studies and work programmes.
“America offers world-class diploma and degree programmes at exceptionally cheaper prices than Australia. It is therefore a better option for WHP elites to consider sending their children in American colleges and universities for further studies.
“Furthermore, the WHDF seeks to work closely with the PNG-USA Alumni Association Inc to host annual Independence Day celebrations in Mt Hagen on July 4 to celebrate the independence of USA, and also to highlight importance of democracy and democratic governance in WHP and PNG.
“The WHDF will work closely with foreign aid donor programmes and the government - both provincial and national - to address key development issues including gender, environment, democratic governance, HIV/AIDS, and youth.”
Komati added: "WHP has the best all-year-round agriculture-friendly climate, strategic geographical location idle for economic success, a hardworking entrepreneurial minded people, very abundant fertile soil in endless valleys, and good leadership.
“All we in Western Highlands need now is a good vehicle to harness and synchronise these key advantages to edge out as economic powers driven by a united elite class population that serves the engine room for thinking, planning, and implementing key programmes and projects.
"I am now calling on all business houses through the Western Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the provincial government including all the five MPs, foreign aid donor programmes, NGOs and community associations including interest groups to work together with WHDF in 2014 and onwards to change the landscape of thinking, introduce better approaches to problems, and address wider issues collectively through consultation and cooperation.”