…For all ex-combatants by government
THE six million ($6m) paid by government to ex-combatants in 2015 and 2016 are the final cash payout to be made for the former fighters.
This was revealed by the Permanent Secretary (PS) of the Ministry of National Unity, Reconciliation and Peace (MNURP) Justus Denni when he appeared before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) last week.
He highlighted this after PAC members questioned him about the $3million paid to the Malaita Eagle Force (MEF) in 2015 followed by another $3million last year for the Isatabu Freedom Movement (IFM).
Mr Denni said the two payouts were the last cash payments to support the former combatants, however reparation package (materials/goods&project) is what government will embark on in the rehabilitation processes.
He said the payment was made to the existing bodies of Solomon Islands Post Conflict Reconciliation Rehabilitation Association (SIPCRRA) for both MEF and IFM, in support of their rehabilitation.
“SIPCRRA are registered entities under Charitable Act and have their constitutions and now we are considering establishing one body for Western Province,” the PS remarked.
He added SIPRRA established to work with govt agencies and other stakeholders in progressing rehabilitation of ex-combatants.
The PS said the $3million payment for IFM was made on last working days of December last year and MEF was paid in the Christmas Eve of year 2015.
He cautioned PAC that under the Townsville Peace Agreement and Marau Peace Agreement, it stipulates rehabilitation for ex-combatants, adding that previous government did nothing to address rehabilitation of militants.
PS also revealed that those payments were in line with government policy of post conflict rehabilitation.
Furthermore, Denni said the MNURP, Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and UNDP are working progressively with a new framework and a Bill, to be brought into parliament to guide the implementation of the rehabilitation process.
Thus, he said a reparation commission is in the plan to be established under the framework, as recommended by the TRC report to facilitate the rehabilitation work.
By AATAI JOHN
