The chair of Transparency Solomon Islands says local MPs are using foreign aid and development projects to divert public attention away from the misuse of domestic funds.
The Solomon Islands flag Photo: RNZI
Ruth Liloqula is calling for a comprehensive review of the sources and use of both external and domestic development financing.
Ms Liloqula said she was not criticising overseas development partners and welcomed their assistance.
But she was concerned by the explanations local MPs were giving their constituents who often complained about the lack of basic services in their communities.
"And the excuse that our leaders mostly respond with is that dont worry about it the donors will be taking care of us there is plenty of external resources flowing into those sections. So they practically use that as an excuse to turn attention away from what they are really doing with our own resources."
Ruth Liloqula said this deflection tactic was also used by MPs when they were criticised about their use of the multi-million dollar constituency development funds from Taiwan over which they had complete control.
