By GINNAH MINI
THE Prime Minister, Hon. James Marape has announced that the first transfer of the K2.5 million of the K5 million El Nino relief fund will be rolled out to all district this week or next week at the latest.
While addressing the media yesterday at APEC terminal upon returning from his meeting at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, Mr. Marape acknowledged that El Nino is a government priority that is affecting the nation.
Mr. Marape said that the first transaction of K2.5 million will be rolled out followed by the next transaction of K2.5 million at a later date.
The Deputy Prime Minister, John Rosso in his remarks said that the National Executive Council (NEC) and parliament have approved assistance for the first transaction.
“Politics aside, this is for our people. The K2.5 million goes straight to all our people regardless of which political affiliation you are,” Mr. Rosso said.
“The government has disbursed this funding- it will consider it a priority and continue to do so to include it in the budget next year.”
Prime Minister Marape said that provincial governments will oversee and manage the work of El Nino while districts will take the front line and the National Disaster Centre will assemble all. This will run throughout this year and next year.
“We want to coordinate this properly so no one in our islands and villagers is dying as a result of starvation, lack of water and lack of medicine,” Mr. Marape said.
Mr. Marape emphasized that opposition’s or government’s districts does not matter-all districts will be assisted during this El Nino period.
“We are one people, one nation and one country-the last seven years, we’ve been assisting all districts the same,” Mr. Marape said.
Prime Minister Marape said the relief funds are rolled out to the districts so that they can be held accountable.
