Where is the SIG’s Economic Stimulus Package Report?
For more than two years, stakeholders and the people of Solomon Islands have awaited the release of the Economic Stimulus Package (ESP) report, initially promised by the Ministry of Finance and Treasury.
Recently, an audit from the Auditor General’s office was finally released, it was a revelation of the tremendous corruption that occurred among the ministry officials including the ESP committee, and also revealed that the said ESP report by the MoFT has been shared with the members of the parliament but not to the public, it has raised further questions about the transparency, allocation, and impact of the ESP funds. The delayed report and its lingering opacity have left the public calling for more accountability in the management of these critical resources.
In March 2022, during a press conference hosted by the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. The Finance Permanent Secretary, Mr. McKinnie Dentana revealed that a report on the Economic Stimulus Package (ESP) will be released soon. He then elaborated, saying that the government tasked the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to review the government’s policy on ESP after being asked by the press about the ESP.
Dentana confidently stated, “There will be a report to be released in mid-April (2022), and there are several reports that they will be producing.” Then he said that the government also engaged more than 50 youths to conduct interviews in the provinces in 2021.
Read: ESP Report to be Published Soon
However, as the months passed without any report, public interest and concerns grew. Finally, in August 2022, PS Dentana addressed the delay in another public statement, explaining the need for additional time to finalize and verify the information within the report. This update was met with mixed reactions, as stakeholders and the public had anticipated a more timely release given the ESP’s significance to the economy.
Read: https://solomons.gov.sb/esp-report-expected-soon
The Economic Stimulus Package (ESP) report, initially announced for release in mid-2022, has seemingly faded from public view. Following an initial promise in April 2022 by Ministry of Finance and Treasury (MOFT) Permanent Secretary Mr. McKinnie Dentana to publish the report, delays ensued, and only a brief statement in August addressed the setbacks.
Since then, there has been little follow-up or transparency from the government regarding the report’s contents or its anticipated release. As time has passed, the report has largely been overshadowed by other government priorities, leaving stakeholders and the public uncertain about the allocation and impacts of the funds intended to boost economic recovery.
The recent audit report on the Economic Stimulus Package (ESP) for COVID-19 has reignited concerns about clearness and responsibility within the Solomon Islands government. Initially launched to provide crucial financial support during the pandemic, the ESP has come under scrutiny for its implementation and oversight.
A key issue highlighted by the audit is the lack of public access to the ESP report, which was promised by Finance Permanent Secretary McKinnie Dentana back in 2022. Despite assurances, citizens and stakeholders have seen no sign of the report, leading to growing frustration and speculation about what the government may be trying to conceal.
The audit indicates that while the report has been shared with some members of Parliament, it has never been formally tabled or made available to the public. This has led to questions about the government’s commitment to transparency and the effectiveness of its pandemic response. Locals and stakeholders argue that the withholding of the report undermines trust and raises doubts about how funds were allocated and used.
As the public calls for clarity intensify, the government faces mounting pressure to release the ESP report. The ongoing silence may suggest an unwillingness to confront potential missteps or mismanagement, further fueling suspicions among citizens eager for accountability in these challenging times.
