THE Minister of Lands, Housing & Survey (MLHS) has told Parliament he will work hard to get rid of corrupt practises within the Ministry.
Andrew Manepora’a told the house his Ministry is one of the government agencies with a common public portrayal of unethical behaviour topping the government corruption chart.
While the Minister applauded his development budget of SBD$44, 987 million allocated for this year, he also raised his concern over prevalence of mismanagement of fund and abuse of official duty within his Ministry.
“Corruption in this Ministry becomes a public humour as official mark, documents and files were accessible by random conmen seeking possible means to earn money through forged documents bearing the statutory marks of the ministry.”
Mr Maneporaa also took the opportunity to highlight some of the major programs undertaken by the Ministry.
These includes:
1) National Urbanisation Policy
2) Urban Expansion project
3) Upgrading of TOL land
4) Tina hydro project
5) USP Doma Land project
6) Establishment of Local Planning Scheme
He said, that these major programs will be implemented this year for the benefit of the people of Solomon Islands.
In contrary to that, Maneporaa stated that the Ministry has formed a Lands Board early this year as a remedy to ease corruption in the Ministry.
“People are complaining about how the Ministry has been dealing with land issues, and Ministry according to public perceptions is full of corruption,” the Minister stated.
“But I can assure our people and this honourable house that from hereon I will through the DCC government fight to remove all corrupt practices that has been happening within the Ministry of Lands,” he said.
“And I will work closely with my staff to ensure that all land matters are dealt with in a transparent and accountable manner,” Manepora’a stated.
The Minister stressed that he wants to regain back the public trust, confidence and hope in the work of the ministry.
By AATAI JOHN
