Dear Editor – I generally go on line everyday to read the published Solomon Islands newspapers but cannot always agree with what is published, but there again living outside the country I do not have all the facts to make a reasoned judgment of the stories circulated.
I also steer clear of politics in what I often comment after digesting local news items.
I made just one exception after reading through the Editorial piece in the Solomon Star newspaper published on 10 June 2021.
In that particular item the Editor referred to the Rural Constitutional Development Funds (RCDF) in the hand (and control) of the Members of Parliament.
The particular reference in the piece read, and I quote.
“The floor of Parliament has been reduced to discussing how much money should be allocated to the infamous RCDF grants, which goes through politicians’ hands.
Some are doing a jolly good job of it in terms of developing communities in their Constituencies.
Sadly, that could not be said of all 50 MPs.”
End of quote.
I know not whether that statement is factual or not, but I would agree that a handful of MP’s have used RCDF allocations to bring about livelihood changes and possible income earnings for community people in Guadalcanal and in Malaita.
Taking up the point alleged about the majority of MP’s not having developed their communities as yet, I would please urge them to do so in keeping with their electorate duties and presumably pledges made at the time of their election.
The other day, in one of my letters, I singled out Malaita where I see MPs could make a significant contribution to livelihoods with meaningful projects to aid communities and I hope the plea will be taken up.
As for the rest of the Editorial piece I am not in a position to judge the situation outlined by the Editor but truthfully consider overall things are much better in the Solomon Islands than at the time of my too brief service in the country.
Frank Short
Thailand
