MRD Permanent Secretary Dr. Samson Viulu.
The Ministry of Rural Development (MRD) says that the Payment of Constituency Development Funds (CDF) for this financial year will be delayed.
Permanent Secretary of MRD Dr. Samson Viulu made the clarification for the information and awareness of every constituents and the public today.
“I would like to make it clear to the voters, constituents and the public that the payment of the Constituency Development Funds (CDF) for this financial year will be delayed.
“This is because procurements of the CDF have to be according to the recently enacted CDF Act 2023, which was gazette end of last year following its ascension by the Governor General,” PS Viulu said.
The CDF Act 2023 came into full force on January 5 this year.
PS Viulu therefore calls for understanding from voters and constituents to be patient with their Members of Parliament as due processes are being facilitated.
He on behalf of the ministry further urges the citizens to seek assistance from relevant ministries instead of relying solely on Members of Parliament.
“As for the CDF, the ministry hopes to start delivering the program in the month of August or later this year before the financial year closes,” PS Viulu added.
He said, now that we have a new CDF Act, all procurements must now be according to the Act in support of the Public Financial Management Act (PFMA) 2013.
According to the CDF Act 2023, PS Viulu said the following has to be completed to qualify a constituency to apply for funding support under the CDF program. These are;
CDF is a program of the Solomon Islands Government (SIG) administered by MRD and is implemented through the 50 constituencies in the country purposely to improve the social and economic livelihoods of all Solomon Islanders.
MRD’s vision is to ensure all rural Solomon Islanders become meaningfully participate in development activities to improve their social and economic livelihood.
Further information can be sought from the ministry by contacting these phone contacts: 25238/25239/25254.
– MRD Press