MEMBER of Parliament for East Honiara has denied claims he introduced a new system of relief support which require victims to hand in their voter ID cards in exchange for relief assistance.
This came following reports that Mr Ete had changed to a new system of relief aid distribution where victims would submit their voter ID cards before receiving any form of aid.
Speaking to this paper on Wednesday, Mr Ete rubbished such claims saying that at no such time did he send any follower to collect cards from people at the evacuation centres in East Honiara.
“I do not know where, how or why such baseless rumours were stirred up but at no such time did I send any of my associates or supporters to go collect voters ID cards from people,” Mr Ete said.
“I would be out of my mind if I do that,” he added.
He said that people should understand the current situation is a national disaster and crisis, therefore everyone is affected.
“We are facing a national disaster and everybody is affected by it.”
Mr Ete said that since Friday last week (after the floods) he had been visiting evacuation centres and lending to them support in terms of food, water, clothing and other needed utensils.
“I do not know if these people who make sure allegations were there during my visits or not,” Mr Ete said.
Mr Ete continued that people should not make up rumours of such which is not only defamatory but misleading to the public.
He added that as Member of East Honiara Constituency, he will render help and assistance as much as he can.
“I will do everything I can in my capacity as MP for East Honiara to try and help the victims of the flash floods that are residing in East Honiara.
“I don’t care if you vote for me or not, if you are a victim from East Honiara then as your Member of Parliament I will help you.
“The first quota of $300,000 of constituency rural development money will be fully utilised to assist these people,” he said.
Mr Ete was arranging the transportation of five tonnes of rice, taiyo, water, clothing and other mixed goods to be delivered to evacuation centres in East Honiara yesterday when approached.
More than 3000 people within the Burns Creek area had been affected by the flash floods have taken refuge at KGVI School and SINU’s Panatina Pavilion.
By JEREMY INIFIRI
