Dear Editor – Allow me space in your newspaper to write and express my personal views in regard to the recent Christmas goodwill payments of $3 million made out by the government to ex. militants from both Malaita and Guadalcanal.
While I highly appreciate the initiative and action taken by our present government to resolve the long overdue rehabilitation packages for ex. militants, I think the payout procedures for the disbursement of the $300 million still due must be carried out properly by the government through the Ministry of Reconciliation & Peace.
This means, proper accounting procedures must be followed with transparency and accountability to make sure each original members of the ex. militants get paid and not some Tom, Dick or Harry impostors.
By following proper procedures only ex. militants listed on the original list made by commanders back in year 2000 – 2003 will be eligible to receive a rehabilitation payout package of $150,000, after filling out proper forms which needs a photo ID and a signature from each ex. militant before any ex. militant can receiving a cheque from the government.
All Malaita ex. militants should receive their payments from the Ministry of Reconciliation & Peace office in Auki after the Ministry of Finance issue payments in the form of cheques already made out to the names of each ex. militant listed by their original commanders.
This practice is very important for the government to maintain its records and avoid misuse or double payout of some people or other underground deals from taking place.
I hope this letter will be helpful to all Solomon Islanders concerned.
Sincerely,
James Baura
Auki, Malaita Province
