Maringe-Kokota Constituency Demonstrates Commitment To Accountability, Acquits 2024 CDF

The Maringe-Kokota Constituency (MKC) has demonstrated a strong commitment to transparency and accountability under the Constituency Development Funds Act 2023 by submitting its financial acquittal report to the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD) last Friday.

Constituency Development Officer (CDO) Walter Havimei presented the report to Permanent Secretary John Niroa Misite’e. The report details the financial records and expenditures of the $3.88 million allocated to each constituency for the 2024 fiscal year.

During the submission, CDO Havimei also presented the constituency’s 2025 Annual Work Plan (AWP), outlining community development programs and initiatives aimed at improving livelihoods and fostering sustainable development within the constituency.

These official submissions not only foster trust but also demonstrate the constituency office’s dedication to good governance. This marks a significant step in upholding transparency and accountability under the CDF Act 2023, in line with Section 29, which mandates all 50 constituencies to submit annual reports on the utilization of CDF grants.

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

He emphasized the Ministry’s commitment 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 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 said.

He also commended Honourable Minister for Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs Cathy Nori, MP, for her leadership, and thanked constituency officers for their diligent efforts in fulfilling their reporting obligations.

PS Misite’e also acknowledged other constituencies that have already submitted their 2024 CDF reports.

He urged remaining constituencies to submit their reports by the end of this month, emphasizing the urgency and importance of compliance. “I urge all constituencies to come forward with their reports soon,” he stressed.

On behalf of Hon. Minister Nori, MP, and the people of Maringe-Kokota, CDO Havimei expressed delight in submitting the report and pledged ongoing support to MRD to ensure annual compliance with legal reporting requirements.

He noted that most of the MKC 2024 budget was allocated to support community projects, including community halls, rest houses, school infrastructure (classrooms), educational assistance through school fees, transportation, and other sectors vital to community development. MRD will feature separate stories on the implementation of these projects.

Havimei stated that the submission demonstrates the constituency office’s commitment to good governance, compliance with the CDF Law, fostering trust, and ensuring development funds effectively serve the needs of rural communities.

He reaffirmed MKC’s dedication to its mandate and expressed a continued readiness to collaborate with MRD, other government agencies, and stakeholders to implement effective development initiatives that would improve constituents’ livelihoods.

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.

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