Delays in the delivery of imprest funds to area councils in Sanma Province is caused setbacks to many area council work plans.
During a planning workshop held last week involving area administrators and Community Liaison Officers (CLOs) from Sanma Province, participants identified slow imprest releases as a major challenge affecting the implementation of work plans.
Several development projects across area councils in Sanma Province are facing delays due to the late release of budgets, which is affecting the rollout of activities at the community level.
West Area Council Area Administrator told VBTC News that many of their plans were heavily affected.
Samuel Kenneth stated that the focus of the West Area Council is strengthening community governance, and that it is important to link village councils, communities, area councils, and administrators. He said when funding is delayed, work is also delayed.
Meanwhile, East Santo Area Administrator John Nicky Nampas said they have not been receiving Local Purchase Orders (LPOs) on time, preventing them from completing some of their planned activities.
“Our office has experienced delays since last year, and we are trying different ways to improve our reporting. We had to meet in Vila, and that process has taken time,” he said.
In response, Sanma Province Secretary General Johnathan Iavere said the provincial budget session is now aligned with the national government’s budget session.
Concerns over late imprest releases were raised during a two-day meeting attended by all Area Administrators and Community Liaison Officers from the 11 area councils in Sanma Province. The meeting aimed to set clear direction and establish a five-year strategic development plan for the province.
