MEMBER of Parliament (MP) for Small Malaita has proposed that the controversial National Development Fund (NDF) be pumped into the Provincial Capacity Development Fund (PCDF) as of next year to help develop the rural communities.
Speaking yesterday on the floor of Parliament Rick Hou in his contribution to the Sine Die Motion said; “I proposed that the National Development Fund (NDF) be diverted to the PCDF to help the rural communities.
“These are the people who need our help,” he said.
He highlighted that PCDF has helped developed many rural communities and has been a success story in many parts of the country.
Mr Hou, a former prime minister acknowledged Minister of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening Rollen Seleso for working hard to ensure PCDF continue to benefit rural communities.
Hou asked the two ministers for Provincial Government and Finance to ensure the NDF is allocated in the 2022 budget.
“I will be looking for the fund in the budget,” he said.
He also appealed to all MPs to support the proposal.
NDF used to be paid directly to MPs by Taiwan. Since the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) struck ties with Solomon Islands, the funds are being handled by PRC.
However, as of next year, NDF will be diverted to directly assist constituencies in a form of project.
Thus, in light of the proposed change, Hou has proposed in parliament to ensure NDF is channeled through PCDF.
On Wednesday Minister Seleso highlighted the success story of PCDF since its inception many years ago.
He said government will allocate more funds to cater for more projects under next year’s budget allocation.
Under PDCF, schools, wharves, market houses, health centres, water supply projects, fisheries centres and many more projects have been constructed in the communities.
