Madang Provincial Finance Manager George Memke has come out publicly to call on the Provincial Administrator for Madang, Mr. Frank Tonges Lau, to release public funds marked for development but have been sitting in the bank for the last two years. Memke, who is also the chairman of the Provincial Procurement Committee, raised this concern in the centre of Madang town last Friday during the ground-breaking ceremony for the Madang town central business district road upgrading and sealing project. He challenged the administrator to release the funds for development earmarked for projects in Madang province and districts that are yet to be rolled out. Memke said some projects have been approved by the Provincial Procurement Committee and the Provincial Executive Council for work to begin; however, the Provincial Administrator is not releasing the funds. Madang Governor Ramsey Pariwa said this issue delayed many development projects in the province. He said as a mandated political leader of the province, he has already secured funds, done the plan, drafted up policy, and had already passed the Provincial Budget for development in Madang province. However, the financial delegate, which is the Provincial Administrator, together with the Finance Director and Finance Officer, are not doing their part in releasing these public funds. He said a road project from Umerum in Usino-Bundi to Poata and all the way to Simbai in the Middle-Ramu district, which is a vital road connectivity for the rural masses, is still awaiting funds to be released by the provincial administrator. He blamed the actions of the Provincial Administrator and his Finance Director and Finance Officer, labelling them as ‘incompetent’ and ‘playing politics’ thus denying the people of Madang development and service delivery.