The Minister for Provincial and Local Level Government (LLG) Affairs, Soroi Marepo Eoe has revealed that he will be taking actions against many provincial governments after citing serious issues relating to the misuse of public funds.

He said this when addressing the people of Ihu Local Level Government recently during the official opening of the newly built Ihu Market and the launching and commissioning of integrated infrastructure and community development projects.

Referring to his role as a State Minister responsible for Provincial and Local Level governments, Eoe said, “I am a Minister who governs the Organic Law on Provincial and Local Level Governments, I can walk into any provincial governments and check their books. So much money has been squandered and misappropriated by few people. For most of the provincial governments, I’m taking that action.”

Minister Eoe stressed that so much money has been given to provincial governments, but the output is so little or nothing at all. And as the minister responsible for provincial and local level governments, he will be taking action against some provincial governments soon.

“I want honest public officers. They must be honest when they are dealing with people’s money, public money. That’s where the problem lies, and these are issues we as the government need to address, so that we can develop this country,” said Minister Eoe.

He also made the call to the people to stop being lazy and start working on their land. He told them not to sit around waiting for free hand-outs or expect the government to come and save them. He said it is up to them to mobilize and utilize the resources they have and do something for themselves, and eventually they will be rewarded.

Minister Eoe explained to the people that being elected and getting in as a parliamentary leader is one thing. But when you are actually there and get to know and understand the government system, it is not that easy.

“As a former long serving public servant been elected to the parliament, I had a lot of expectations, confidence and belief that I can deliver services. But I found out, it doesn’t work that way. Waigani is different. Different priorities and different games are played until, you realigned with these priorities, then you’ll start seeing funds been allocated and services been delivered,” said Eoe.

For the National Government to deliver services, there has to be strong collaboration effort with the Provincial, District, and Local Level governments. When all three levels are systematically connected and working in synchronization, development takes place, and that is the kind of system which the good Member and Minister wants to see practiced in every province across the country.