THE Shortland Islands Constituency (SIC) on Friday 1 August acquitted its 2024 Constituency Development Funds (CDF) expenditure.
SIC Development Officer Bernard Vave submitted the financial report on the constituency office’s expenditure of the 2024 CDF the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD) in compliance with the CDF Act 2023.
This decisive act underscores the constituency’s commitment to transparency, accountability and responsible management of public resources, setting a positive precedent for other constituencies.
Also, the submission not only fosters trust, but further demonstrates the constituency office’s dedication to good governance, marking a significant step in upholding transparency and accountability under the CDF Act 2023, particularly in line with Section 29 which mandates all 50 constituencies to submit annual reports on the utilization of CDF grants.
CDO Vave and his constituency office team presented the report to the Deputy Secretary Technical (Acting) George Balairamo. The report details the financial records and expenditures of the $3.88 million allocated to each constituency for the 2024 financial year.
CDO Vave on behalf of the constituency office and the constituency’s leadership emphasized commitment to fostering community development through proper utilization of CDF funds to ensure all projects align with national principles and serve the best interests of Shortland Islands constituents.
“This act reflects our constituency’s ongoing efforts under the leadership of Honourable Minister Isikeli Vave Jnr, MP to uphold integrity, reinforce public trust in public resource management and to improve our development initiatives and ensure responsible stewardship of public funds for sustainable development initiatives for our rural communities.
“We remain dedicated to fostering transparent governance and working closely with our communities to prioritize developments that will bring lasting benefits to everyone.”
The acquittal confirms that funds allocated for 2024 have been appropriately managed and accounted for, reflecting the constituency’s dedication to good governance.
CDO Vave expressed gratitude to the national government through MRD, all stakeholders, including community leaders, community members, and implementing agencies, for their cooperation and commitment throughout the process of implementation in 2024.
Moving forward, the constituency remains committed to maintaining high standards of financial management and transparency, ensuring that development initiatives continue to benefit the people of the Shortland Islands.
CDO Vave expressed delight in submitting the report and pledged ongoing support to MRD to ensure annual compliance with legal reporting requirements.
He said that most of the SIC 2024 budget was allocated to support community projects in compliance to the CDF Act 2023 funding apportionment.
According to the constituency office, a major delivery of 2024 projects to the constituency is arranged for next week with loading of projects are currently underway in Honiara.
Mr Balairamo, when receiving the report, acknowledged the submission as a positive way forward.
He emphasized MRD’s commitment to implementing the CDF legislation and providing guidance to ensure proper administration of constituency programs within this legal framework.
Mr Balairamo also highlighted the importance of these annual reports, including financial expenditure reports, as vital documents for organizational accountability and transparency, particularly when public resources are involved.
“These reports reinforce transparency and demonstrate accountability in the use of public funds.”
He also commended MP Isikeli Vave Jnr for his leadership and thanked constituency officers for their diligent efforts in fulfilling their reporting obligations.
The CDF Act 2023 was passed by Parliament on December 22, 2023, and came into effect on January 5, 2024. This legislation makes it clear that any offences committed by recipients of the CDF after this commencement date are subject to penalties.
Penalties apply to constituents, Members of Parliament, and public officers who commit offences such as:
- Misappropriates any funds or assets from the fund; or
- Advances materials and cash from a supplier without prior approval from the responsible ministry; or
- Fraudulently converts project assets or materials to his own use or to the use of some other person; or
- Deliberately victimises non-voters by excluding them from receiving Constituency Development Funds projects and funds without justifiable grounds; or
- Assists or causes a person to misappropriate or apply the funds otherwise than in the manner provided in this Act and Regulations.
With the new CDF legislation in place, Mr Balairamo said it is the collective responsibility of all stakeholders to adhere to the law, ensuring proper use of funds and avoiding legal penalties.
“We should view this legislation not as a threat but as a guide to conduct and accountability in managing development funds or public resources,” he added.
The primary purposes of the CDF Act 2023 are:
- To strengthen good governance;
- To ensure improved and effective delivery mechanisms of the Constituency Development Funds and
- To promote equal and inclusive participation of all Solomon Islanders in development.
Constituents and the public are encouraged to consult their respective constituency offices should they need to get more information about how their constituency offices implement their Constituency Development Program (CDP).
Constituency Development Program is a national programme of the Solomon Islands Government (SIG) administered by the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD).
It is implemented by the 50 constituencies in the country purposely to improve the socio-economic livelihoods of Solomon Islanders.
– MRD
