MALAITA Province should not expect the national government to deliver any of the big projects it promised the province, this year.
That’s according to Malaita Provincial Assembly ward seven member Leslie Kwaiga.
“The budgetary provisions under the national budget did not make any remarkable changes at all,” Mr Kwaiga said.
“The provisions remained the same as it were in the previous budgets,” he added.
Mr Kwaiga called on the National Government to honestly explain the purposes of its budgetary provisions for the National Projects on Malaita as it does not cater for establishment of the required infrastructures and establishment such the Tuna loin factory at Suava Bay or the duty free port at Bina Harbour.
“Seemingly budgetary mechanism of the DCC government for this financial year does not state projects earmarked for the province.”
Mr Kwaiga explained that the allocation of between $5million to $10 million to these National Projects are merely annual estimates for costs of consultation and scoping studies normally undertaken by the public servants or their appointed agents.
“There was never an allocation for the establishment of these national infrastructures intended for the nominated sites.”
“Obviously the National Government does not have resources to build these national projects and it is an evitable fact that in order for these national projects to kick off the ground and come to fruition, foreign assistance and funds is required.
“And this is where foreign investors play a pivotal role in developing our national infrastructures and establishing economic activities at earmarked locations for the so-called national projects.” Mr Kwaiga said.
The lawyer and Provincial member suggested an alternative to the DCCG to remove the nearly $100 million allocated to the 14 National Members of Parliament representing Malaita to commence one of those national projects.
“Pull all those funds allocated and let’s start one project given all processes are set.”
By TEDDY KAFO
