PHILANTHROPIC FUNDING

ALLEGED FOREIGN AID USED BY MPs AS A DIVERSION IN SI

MPs in Solomons allegedly using foreign aid as diversion – Transparency

Quoting Radio New Zealand International – 3 April 2018

“The chair of Transparency Solomon Islands says local MPs are using foreign aid and development projects to divert public attention away from the misuse of domestic funds.

“Ruth Liloqula is calling for a comprehensive review of the sources and use of both external and domestic development financing.

“Ms Liloqula said she was not criticising overseas development partners and welcomed their assistance.

“But she was concerned by the explanations local MPs were giving their constituents who often complained about the lack of basic services in their communities.

"And the excuse that our leaders mostly respond with is that dont worry about it the donors will be taking care of us there is plenty of external resources flowing into those sections. So they practically use that as an excuse to turn attention away from what they are really doing with our own resources."

“Ruth Liloqula said this deflection tactic was also used by MPs when they were criticised about their use of the multi-million dollar constituency development funds from Taiwan over which they had complete control.”

Copyright:  RNZI 2018   (All Rights Reserved)

NEW SOLOMON ISLANDS GOVERNMENT GETS ASSURANCES

During last week Prime Minister Hou met in Honiara with the World Bank’s Resident Representative Guido Rurangwa and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Resident Representative Seva Payevskiy.

The PM said he was impressed by the World Bank’s assurance to support the new Government’s development aspirations.

Similar assurances of collaborative support had come from the UNDP.

Mr Rurangwa reportedly informed the Prime Minister that the World Bank was currently working closely with the Government to identify key priority areas in infrastructure, agriculture, renewable energy and water sanitation.

He added that the World Bank is also prepared to provide financial support for these sectors.

A full report of the meeting with the World Bank’s Resident Representative and the one from the IFC was contained in an article in the Solomon Star, from which I quote.

“The World Bank is ready to support the new Government in the infrastructure and transport sector as well as the airfield projects.

“Mr Rurangwa said a team from their transport sector would be coming into the country next week to start off discussions with the Government.

“IFC’s Seva Payevskiy also informed the Prime Minister that they are currently working on a new country partnership framework for Solomon Islands.

“This new partnership, he said, would be focusing on priority areas for sustainable economic growth in the country.

“Mr Seva also updated the Prime Minister on a recent exercise carried out called Systematic Country Diagnosis.

This is an exercise which is based on the Bank’s view on the key problems in Solomon Islands and suggested solutions for the country.

Mr Seva also assured the Prime Minister of IFC’s support as a transaction adviser to the Tina Hydro project, as well as providing technical advice and support to the progression of the Bina Harbour Project.

“IFC also supports tourism projects in Western province as well as actively providing investment support in the fisheries sector particularly to Soltuna and NFD,” he said.

“Mr Rurangwa then informed the Prime Minister on the USD$100 million support program the World Bank is currently progressing in different sectors such as energy, job creation projects, climate change rural development and fisheries.

“He also told to the Prime Minister that the Rapid Employment Project under World Bank would be extended to the provinces beginning with Malaita, Guadalcanal and Western provinces.

“Prime Minister Hou in response welcomed the comprehensive updates rendered to him.

Mr Hou thanked the World Bank for their support and more so for undertaking the Systematic Country Diagnosis exercise.

He said this would surely assist the Government in identifying key areas that needed attention and how best a collaborative approach could provide best solutions.

“It is important that we focus on sectors that can boost the economy.

“Not only that, but also to focus on priority programs that will bring out dividends and that will generate income for our rural people,” he said.

“Meanwhile, Prime Minister Hou told the World Bank representatives that the Tina Hydro project is a project the Government wanted to get rolling in the next 18 months.

“The Prime Minister has also re-assured World Bank of his desire to see a closer collaboration between the Government and donor partners.

The World Bank representatives applauded the Prime Minister’s assertion in re-establishing confidence amongst donor partners through the core economic working group.

INTEGRATED TRAINING CENTRE IN AID OF RURAL FARMING COMMUNITIES

Honiara : 5 June 2015

I welcome the news that an Integrated Pig and Agriculture Training Centre will be established at Adaliua in Central Kwara'ae in Malaita in partnership with the Solomon Islands Government and the Government of the Republic of China (ROC).

The creation of such a Centre is seen as the key to unlocking wider agricultural and animal husbandry initiatives to bring benefits to the rural community.  I hope that the same kind of training centre can be replicated in other provinces with the aid of Taiwan technical assistance and funding.