East Malaita Constituency Retires 2024 CDF, Submits 2025 Annual Work Plan

The East Malaita Constituency (EMC) has formally submitted its 2024 Constituency Development Fund (CDF) Expenditure Report to the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD), demonstrating a commitment to transparency, accountability, and compliance with the reporting obligations outlined in Section 29 of the CDF Act 2023.

The submitted report details the disbursement of about $3.88 million in CDF funds allocated to each constituency for the 2024 financial year. The presentation was made by the Member of Parliament for EMC, Honourable Manasseh Maelanga.

During the submission, Hon. Maelanga also presented the constituency’s 2025 Annual Work Plan (AWP), which outlines community development programs and initiatives aimed at improving livelihoods and fostering sustainable growth within the constituency.

Representing the MRD, PS John Misite’e acknowledged the submission as a positive step forward.

He emphasized that the Ministry remains committed to implementing the CDF legislation and providing guidance to ensure proper administration of constituency programs within this legal framework.

PS Misite’e highlighted the importance of annual reports, including financial expenditure reports, as critical documents for organizational accountability and transparency, especially when public resources are involved.

“These reports reinforce transparency and demonstrate accountability in the use of public funds,” he said.

He also commended Hon. Maelanga and his constituency officers for their diligent efforts in fulfilling their reporting obligations. He also thanked other constituencies that have already submitted their 2024 CDF reports.

PS Misite’e called on remaining constituencies to submit their reports by July 31st, reiterating the urgency and importance of compliance. “I urge all constituencies to come forward with their reports soon,” he emphasized.

Hon. Maelanga, on behalf of the people of East Malaita and his constituency officers, expressed his happiness in submitting the report and pledged ongoing support to the MRD to ensure annual compliance with legal reporting requirements.

He noted that most of the EMC 2024 budget was allocated to road infrastructure, education support, medical assistance, administration, and other sectors vital to community development.

Hon. Maelanga reaffirmed EMC’s commitment to its mandate and continued support and purpose to collaborate with MRD, other government agencies, and stakeholders to implement effective development initiatives that will improve the livelihoods of his constituents.

He extended heartfelt gratitude to the Ministry, his constituency officers, stakeholders, communities, and all supporters of development initiatives undertaken under his leadership.

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, 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.

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.

© Scoop Media