The National | Jesher Tilto | April 2, 2025

All MPs yet to submit their acquittals for the 2024 service improvement program (SIP)funds to the Department of Implementation and Rural Development (DIRD) can still do so, an official says. 

Acting Secretary Aihi Vaki said despite the directive from Ombudsman Commission (OC) for all MPs to submit their required acquittals by March 31, his department would still accept them. 

Vaki said the DIRD and OC had different roles and responsibilities. 

The DIRD is more focused on monitoring the implementation, performance audit and reporting of developments by the 118 sun-national administrations. 

The OC supervises and enforces the Leadership Code by conducting investigations into the actions of leaders.

He said more than 20 MPs had submitted their 2024 SIP funds acquittals to the department as of yesterday. 

Morobe Governor Luther Wenge submitted his government 2023-2024 provincial service improvement program (PSIP) funds to the department in Port Moresby yesterday. 

Wenge said the total sectoral allocation expenditure of K18 million has been acquitted for. 

He said the DIRD played an important role in the accountability and transparency of public funds. 

He said that MPs had the legal obligation to follow the laws and submit acquittals for the money used under their leadership. 

"This is the people's money that need to be used for the purpose intended." Wenge said. 

"There reports will allow people to know how their money is being used."

Meanwhile, Vaki urges people to report issues relating to the use of the public funs to authorities such as OC and the Auditor General's Office. 

"The people are the eyes and ears on the ground. We all must play our part and be accountable for these funds as it belongs to the people."