Iduhu slams Marape over blunt statement on equal funds distribution

Hiri-Koiari MP Keith Iduhu has criticized Prime Minister James Marape over his recent statement about government’s fair distribution of funds.

Mr Iduhu termed Mr Marape’s statement as off the cut with insubstantial basis and cautioned him not to widespread false allocation of funds to all MPs.

PM Marape in a press release remarked that all provinces and districts under his government would be treated fairly when it comes to resource and budget allocation.

However, Mr Iduhu opposed that claims of equal distribution were unseemly as most provinces are yet to receive their duly mandated funds.

“Quite the contrary to Mr Marape’s rhetoric, most members of parliament have not received a single toea of the development allocations so far this year,” he said in a statement.

“With nearly four months left in the year, it is appalling that Hiri-Koiari along with many other new districts are yet to receive their development budget and infrastructure budget allocations.

As stated by the Opposition countlessly, Marape’s rhetoric does not match the reality!”

Mr Iduhu admitted that members from the opposition floor have been given harsh treatment for being vocal on national issues and this has had a ripple effect on their districts and provinces.

The Hiri-Koiari MP reminded Mr Marape that withholding such funds would cause damage to the livelihood of people and their access to services.

“It appears that our ‘crime’ of being in the Opposition comes with a punishment of starvation of funds. Although we are managing, it's disappointing to see our country being ruled in such a barbaric way,” he said.

In addition, the member also pointed out that on top of the Gulf Business Development Grants misappropriated to Enga Provincial Government, on the same warrant instruction, K30 million of PNG LNG Infrastructure Development Grants [IDGs] was also given to Enga.

“The PNG LNG IDGs is supposed to go to the provincial governments of Hela, Western, Central, Gulf and Southern Highlands. While I can’t speak for the other provinces and their MPs, as a MP from Central whose district houses the final stage of the LNG before export, I consider this unfair, unjust and inequitable.

“IDGs are a crucial budgetary support allocation for host provinces and districts, and to see it given away at the whim of one man is unacceptable. As far I know, there was no consultation or notice given to advise us of this appropriation.

“In all seriousness, how would the landowners of Porgera and the Enga Provincial Government feel if the Government diverted their funds and sent it to Central Province without any notice?

“One thing for sure is such a day would be highly unlikely in this Prime Minister’s tenure, but the people of Enga would be up in arms over such disrespect,” Mr Iduhu said.

Mr Iduhu is now calling on the respective head of provinces of Central, Gulf, Western and Southern Highlands to stand up against Marape’s efforts to influence budget appropriations at his whim and pleasure, contravening the National Budget 2024.