The Ministry of Public Works (MPW) has clarified that the Ministry did not misapply US$27 million out of the US$48.0 million given by the government for fiscal year 2018-2019 as insinuated by some segments of the media to impugn the reputation of authorities of the ministry.
It can be recalled on Tuesday, August 27, Front Page Africa (FPA) and New Dawn newspapers reported that the Ministry failed to account for US$27 million allotted for road construction and rehabilitation in the country during a budget hearing at the Senate for 2019/2020 fiscal year.
MPW Deputy Minister for Administration, Joseph Todd, said the ministry remains committed to financial probity by updating the committee and the public by extension on how the US$48.083,877 allotted to the ministry for FY- 2018/2019 was expended.
Speaking at the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs & Tourism (MICAT) regular press briefing on Thursday, the Deputy Minister said, the Ministry of Finance allotted 20.6 million dollars for MWP to carry out its road development plans.
He said at no point in time did the Ministry fail to account for US$27 million out of the US$48 million that was allotted in the previous fiscal year.
Todd said the need for additional appropriation for infrastructural development forms the bedrock for sustainable economic growth and development.
According to him, the Ministry is saddened by the misinformation given by some media institutions and called on them to be clear and balance in their reportage.
“While the Ministry acknowledges the role of the media in fostering national development initiatives, the need to desist from unfounded and sensational reportage cannot be over-emphasized,” Todd said.
He further indicated that there was limited time given at the hearing to display details of the projects undertaken by the ministry which include the pavement of several community roads and construction of bridges across the country.
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