Transparency Solomon Islands is deeply concerned about a Government plan to take SBD$33 million Solomon Islands dollars from the Ministry of Agriculture budget and channel it through Members of Parliament, a move that has been widely criticized.
“The roles and responsibilities of government Ministries must be respected by the NCRA government,” the anti-corruption organization says.
“After constant failures to submit their plans for these and other constituency development funds, MPs have shown that they are unable or unwilling to spend the money in an open and accountable way.”
The SBD$33 million was allocated for the cocoa and coconut industry support programmes currently under the control of the Ministry of Agriculture.
Transparency Solomon Islands believes that the Ministry is in a better position to deliver the programmes than politicians and says channeling funds through individual MPs allows room for corruption to thrive.