Ma’asina Forum Misleads Public on Noro Housing Project

Ma’asina Forum Misleads Public on Noro Housing Project

The Ministry of Finance and Treasury deeply regret and wish to apologize to the European Union (EU) for the false allegation made on its funds on the building of 50 new houses at Noro in the Western Province.

This was one of the accusations made by the Malaita Ma’asina Forum (MMF) on 16 September 2011 in the Solomon Star.

The Ministry of Finance and Treasury does coordinate with the Ministry of National Planning and Aid Coordination and other implementing Ministries on various EU funding.

The Ministry however, does not at all have any knowledge of an EU funding of 50 houses. It is therefore, totally wrong and misleading for MMF to claim that EU funds have been diverted to building 50 houses at Noro in the western Province.

The use of EU funds has always been for specific purposes, and the governance arrangement for a change of scope of any project they fund is done with thoroughness and rigor.

A diversion of any funding to build 50 unjustified houses in a small township such as Noro is simply illogical and would have not able to go pass the scrutiny of both the EU and the Ministry of Finance and Treasury.

“Misleading public statements, such as this, is not helpful to the good relations donor partners have cultivated with the Government and various communities in the country,” the Ministry said in a statement.

To avoid misreporting about donor support, the Ministry of Finance and Treasury urge the public and the media to contact them, the Ministry of National Planning and Aid Coordination, or aid donors for correct information before making public statements.

ENDS

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