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Wednesday, August 30, 2006

SI Prime Minister receives third quarterly payment of the RCDF

By Alfred Maesulia

Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Hon. Manasseh Sogavare has formally received the third quarterly payment of the Rural Communities Development Fund (RCDF) of SI$5,000,000.00 on Wednesday.

His Excellency Antonio Chen, Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to Solomon Islands handed over the payment during his meeting with Sogavare.

The payment improved the timely release of payments to the current up to date position.

Mr. Chen said the delay was due to the national election and change of government.

“But we have managed to catch up. We hope Solomon Islands politician will help us deliver the assistance to the rural areas to where the assistance needed most in a timely manner,” Ambassador Chen said.

Ambassador Chen also expressed his delight to see measures to strengthen the accountability on the RCDF implementation being adopted by the Solomon Islands government.

He said: “I am pleased to see the RCDF guidelines being incorporated in the Parliament Entitlements Regulations, 2006.

“I am sure it is a big step toward improvement in the accountability structure. I believe Solomon Islands politicians and people as well as other donors will also be happy to see that.”

He is happy that the Department of Provincial Government had requested all Members of Parliament to retire previously released quarterly fund before next year’s fund is released.

He said this would improve further the accountability and there would facilitate the release of the next payment.

When receiving the payment, Prime Minister Sogavare thanked Ambassador Chen and the Taiwan Government for the assistance.

Hon. Sogavare said: “This continued cash injection from the RCDF has gone a long way to help alleviate poverty in every corner of Solomon Islands and makes life easier, particularly to those who live in the rural areas.”

Each quarter the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) injects SI$5 million into the RCDF.

Source: Government Communications Unit

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