Federated States of Micronesia President Manny Mori has vetoed Congressional Act No. 18-123 that would allocate funds to more public projects throughout the FSM.
Congressional Act No. 18-123 is "AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE THE SUM OF $2,800,000 FROM THE GENERAL FUND OF THE FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2015, FOR THE PURPOSE OF FUNDING PUBLIC PROJECTS AND SOCIAL PROGRAMS FOR THE PEOPLE IN EACH OF THE FOUR STATES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES."
In his veto message to Speaker Dohsis Halbert, President Mori noted that Congress appropriated the sum of $2,800,000 for public projects and social programs without a public hearing and consultation prior to its enactment. There has been no committee report that provides the rationale behind the appropriations and no record that contains any information on why it was withdrawn from the assigned committee.
In numerous separate, but similar communications with Congress, President Mori consistently expressed his support for Public Projects and their value and importance to the Nation's continued economic growth. However, he has also consistently re-iterated the need for transparency, comprehensive project planning and improvements in the accountability process of the Public's limited fiscal resources. A recently released Public Auditors report similarly outlines and identifies problems in the accountability process and the credibility of expenditure reports from previous Congressional appropriations.
Kinisow Chapwur Ngonuk Honorable President Mr. Mori. Please remember the stalled Public Project in Chuuk...
ReplyDeleteOnly now? Why just now after letting millions of dollars go to waste over the past decade in Public Project funding? Could it be a publicity stunt in light of the recent Congress audit report?
ReplyDeleteIt's better now or never. Just because it's been done over decades it does not mean it cannot be questioned. It is just a matter of priority (by government leaders, "straight" or not so straight).
ReplyDelete