Reply to commentary on the K10m DSIP for Wapenamanda for 2018

BY JOE WASIA

Every individual is entitled to his or her own views and opinions per premiable of the constitution of Papua New Guinea. I thank Facebook as one of the social media platforms for providing the avenue for individuals with concerns as this to air without fear or intimidation. I think in the long run many public figers will be put under microscopic lens.

To the subject, we all know Hon Rimbink Pato was tied up in the organising of one of the very very important and an historical event, the APEC Summit 2018, last month as a Foreign Affairs Minister, hence he had no time to be with us in the district delivering projects as many of us have expected. He had even sleepless nights here and abroad. It was indeed a huge challenge and an experience gain for Mr Pato and the O'Niel Govt. I take my hat off to this government for a well organised APEC Summit 2018.
Note that Wapenamanda district has no proper Finance Manager (formerly a DT) after former district treasurer Nathan Lapakio was given a Provincial Finance manager position last year.

For transparency sake, Mr Pato as a District Development Authority Chairman could not allow other DDA staff to use DSIP monies themselves without a finance manager and a Chairman. If anything goes wrong its the DDA Chairman who is responsible.

Remember, district funds are accountable and string attached to it. And if no aquitals have been submitted for quarterly fundings, i dont think full K10m for Wapenamanda for the year 2018 was released. Like Public Service Minister Elias Kapavore who come out and clearified us on this forum, i also wish if the National Planning minister or a staff, Rural Development and Implementation, National Treasury minister or a staff or Finance Minister or a staff or any other responsible Govt departments would deny or confirm if Waps was given its K10m DSIP funds for 2018. With evidence be better. This would bruise aside vergues and confusions.

I dont think full K10m was released because district workforce and finance managment capacity wasn't readily available for the implementation of district projects for 2018. But from 2019 and onwards, i believe we will recieve full K10m annual DSIP, DSG plus other donor projects in Wapenmanada.

We already know who Hon Rimbink Pato is from his first 5 year term in Parliament. Despite current economic turmoil affecting DSIP and DSG from the National Govt, our good Minister has secured substantial amount of money for some major impact projects from donors. A good example being 6 steel bridges worth millions of kina from JICA-JAPAN.

I know Minister Pato is one of a few competent MPs in this Parliament and in this generation of leaders. Hence, deserves some respect from us the people of Wapenamanda regardless of our political differences. Put politics to election time which is 2022.

To those few wanna-be-leaders, whingers, pretenders and mere keyboard warriors taking adventage of this media platform attacking, gossiping, backbiting and comparing our hard working MP is rediculous and utter nonsense.

I'm not stopping you from expressing your thoughts and concerns about your district money but we do it professionally. We still have 4 more years to judge.

But if you still feel that your DSIP grants have been stolen or diverted elsewhere, you have the legal right to put Mr Pato on task. Its not that hard. Very simple people like you and i can do that. Lodge a formal complaints with the Ombudsman Commission to investigate DDA Waps cheque book for 2018.

Be real. Stop gossips and Facebook craps.

Mery Xmas and Happy New Yr 2019