TAIWAN DISBURSES THIRD RCDF PAYMENT

TAIWAN DISBURSES THIRD RCDF PAYMENT

Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to Solomon Islands, H.E. George Chan today has released the third payment of Rural Constituency Development Fund (RCDF) of SBD$2.2 million.

The funds which will be distributed to 11 constituencies in the country were received by Prime Minister Dr Derek Sikua during a brief ceremony at the Prime Minister’s Office.

The Taiwan Embassy in Honiara had recently paid out similar funds to 37 constituencies after their respective Members of Parliament had submitted acquittals on their 2008 Micro Project Scheme expenditures.

The Government has recently put in place a new policy that requires greater transparency and accountability on how MPs spend the RCDF.

The policy requires MPs to submit reports including proof of how the RCDF is being spent to the Ministry of Rural Development and Indigenous Affairs, which co-managed the RCDF with the Ministry of Finance.

Ambassador Chan continues to encourage MPs to support the policy – urging them to utilize and manage the fund properly.

Welcoming the Taiwanese assistance, Prime Minister Dr Derek Sikua expressed his deepest appreciation to the Government and people of Taiwan for their continuous support to Solomon Islands.

Despite being battered recently by torrential rain and severe flooding, Taiwan stands firm to fulfill its commitment to improve the quality of life for rural Solomon Islanders.

“On behalf of the people and government of Solomon Islands, I would like to extend my deepest condolences and sympathy to the Taiwanese families who lost their loved ones and those affected by disaster,” Dr Sikua said.

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