The Central province Governor, Rufina Peter along with her provincial administration finally submitted their 2021 and 2022 Provincial Support Improvement Program (PSIP) Acquittals today to the Department of Rural Development and Implementation (DIRD) after some delays.
The new Acting Provincial Administrator, Mr. Edward Kila said the delays in the submissions of the acquittals, were due to one disaster and the changes within the provincial administration itself.
In a written letter presented at the DIRD office in Port Moresby today, he said the building that housed some of the source documents burned down in 2022 destroying some of that, while the changes to the provincial administrator’s position also caused some delays.
“There were some supporting documents still with the former provincial administrator and were not easily obtained,” Mr. Kila said.
“I only assumed the role of Acting Provincial Administrator in December 2023.”
Also, there was a change of the Provincial Financial Manager, but nevertheless, the provincial government was able to put together the PSIP Acquittals for the two-year period and finally present them to the DIRD.
“I will give my undivided support to ensure in the future we provide acquittals on time and the production of the reports are consistent with your (DIRD) template.”
The PSIP acquittals are important because the funds are constitutional funds allocated to respective Members of Parliament (MPs) and Central province as a recipient of the funds, has the duty to report back on how the funds were used to provide service to the people.
“We are obligated by law to provide the acquittals reflecting the receipt and expenditure for funds received during these said periods,” said the Acting Provincial Administrator.
Meanwhile, Governor Peter expressed satisfaction over the completion of the acquittals and happily handed them over to the DIRD Deputy Secretary Mr. Gordon Wafimbi at the DIRD office.