While the Siparia Regional Corporation (SRC) said it’s hamstrung by a lack of funding from Central Government, the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government said nothing could be further from the truth.
In response to claims made by the SRC at a conference on Wednesday, the Ministry said funds were paid to the corporation on a consistent basis, once released from the Ministry of Finance.
The total allocation for 2021/2022 under the Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP) is $14,940,000, and, to date $9,137,158 was released to the SRC.
The Ministry noted that the last release to the SRC under PSIP was issued on July 27, in the sum of $1,679,000.
Further, the Ministry noted that requests for the balance of funds were only received within the past few weeks.
Since then, the balance of $3,287,308 as requested to be released for payment to SRC from the Ministry of Finance.
On the Corporation’s claim of vehicular assets in need to repair, the Local Government Ministry noted that Minister Faris Al-Rawi requested data from all corporations on their vehicles to ensure serviceability.
In fact, the Ministry said the SRC was allocated $127,535.05 in this exercise for the repair and rehabilitation of their vehicular assets. Disbursement of funds will come in due course as final submissions were received on Wednesday from all 14 Corporations.
A release from the Ministry concluded: “The RDLG has developed major aspects of improvement which are part and parcel of the local government reform operationalisation.
Quite regrettably specific corporations have been directed to not attend critical events that redound to the benefit of all corporations.
However, the RDLG is pleased that the one on one working relations with all corporations are bearing fruit. The RDLG urges focus on reform and to the delivery of requests in a timely manner so that better circumstances can be facilitated for our citizens.”
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