BY SAMIE WAIKORI
The Malaita province has been re-qualified for the Provincial Capacity Development Fund (PCDF) after two years of disqualification for this prestigious government funding programme.
The news of the qualification came last week following the province’s successful passing of the 2022-2023 PCDF assessment carried out by MPGIS in September this year.
Premier of Malaita province, Elijah Asilaua acknowledged all sectors within Malaita provincial government for efforts put together to pass the 2022-2023 PCDF assessment that restored the province for PCDF.
He said in the financial years; 2020-2021 and 2021-2022, the province had lost millions of dollars after it failed to qualify for the programme.
“Now, it is more than 2 years that the province has qualified for the program. It is a good news for the province and a big achievement for this ruling provincial government,” Asilaua expressed gratitude.
He noted that the qualification of the province on the program will also enable 10 PCDF projects approved for 2023-2024 will be put into implementation.
Asilaua also added that as a result of the qualification, Malaita province will be looking at additional projects to be included in the approved PCDF for 2023-2024 financial year.
He said this is the reason to delay the revise budget meeting which supposed to happen early this month.
Asilaua said by next week, Heads of Divisions (HoDs) and provincial PCDF committee will meet to determine additional areas to be included in the revise budget.
He highlighted that this will include new or additional PCDF projects on top of the approved projects for 2023/2024.
Asilaua said after the changes are made, the executive will be looking at the budget and then the provincial Public Accounts Committee (PAC), before tabling the revised budget.
“This is so that the revise budget could capture additional projects especially on the PCDF program to be implemented in the next financial year.
“This is the reason for the delay of the revise budget meeting, as some may question, and it is for the good of the province.
“Hopefully, all these processes are done soon to allow time for the revise budget either at the end of this month or early next month,” he said.
