The Republic of China (Taiwan) Embassy Office in Honiara has described the way some Members of Parliament (MP) are blaming Taiwan for failing to build infrastructure and create job opportunities at their constituencies as ridiculous.
Speaking to this paper in an exclusive interview, a spokesperson for the Embassy said according to Taiwan foreign policy, Taiwan cannot directly involved in developing the constituencies.
Taiwan only release its Constituency Development Funds (CDF) contribution worth $1.4 million every to each constituency every year and it’s the 50 MPs with its constituents will decide how to use their CDF, the top official explained.
The embassy spokesman said Taiwan CDF contribution plus SIG contribution – $5.5 million is sufficient for 50 constituencies to build infrastructure and social developments to boost economic activities and employment at various constituencies.
This nation is sitting on billions of funds as revealed in World Bank Report (2014); $ 1.3 Billion spent over 8 years.
This huge sum of money would transform Solomon Islands if it is properly managed to develop constituencies, the official said.
“If Members of Parliament put CDF into good use it will establish developments at constituencies some MPs are anticipating to see it happen,” the spokesperson said.
The embassy is urging Members of Parliament to learn from Taiwan’s wealth of experience on how they utilized aid money to develop.
“Taiwan is a model to Solomon Islands that in the early 80’s Taiwan started as agriculture base society.
“Taiwan then, builds its economy, infrastructure and other social development through aid money received from developed countries in the 80’s.
“Taiwan also invests in the education sector sending its human resources to train overseas on different fields and after they return they build their country.
“Taiwan’s miracle today is a clear testament on how their national leaders have committed to put first national interest as transpired that it took Taiwan a span of 50 years to achieve its economic miracle from agriculture base society to high- tech society,” the official said.
BY ELLIOT DAWEA
Freelancer
