$800K (US) Authorized For Farming, Forest Protection Spent On Chainsaws, Mills In Solomon Islands

[hatrack]

GOVERNMENT funds earmarked for replanting the diminishing tropical forests in the Solomon Islands were diverted to buying sawmills and chainsaws to fell more trees, the country's auditor-general has reported.

The funds were disbursed last year under a previous government through half the members of the 50-seat parliament, five of whom are ministers in the present government, including the Finance Minister, Snyder Rini.

The report, by the Office of the Auditor-General, is among a pile of hard-hitting documents shown to the Herald which detail irregular and inflated payments for projects in the key forestry and fishery sectors, as well as in relief operations for Gizo Island's tsunami disaster in April last year, the inquiry into the 2006 Honiara riots, and support for national athletes.

EDIT

The report on the Ministry of Forests looked at an allocation of 4 million Solomons dollars ($800,000) to provide seeds, seedlings, tools and advice for villagers for tree plantations. Instead, the money went on 26 chainsaws, 26 sawmills, and two larger chainsaw sets, without competitive bidding, proper authorisation, before delivery, and allegedly with a requested kickback. "There appears to be a pattern of provision of equipment to then government members of parliament and withholding from opposition MPs," the auditors say.

EDIT

http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/lop-chop-and-pork-barrel-forest-funds-row/2008/11/10/1226165481965.html