9 Apr 2003

Solomon Islands top official says unnamed groups abuse state finances

10:42 am on 9 April 2003

The newly appointed head of the finance ministry in Solomon Islands, Shadrach Fanega, has criticised the government's inability to manage its daily financial obligations.

He has blamed groups and individuals who take advantage of the fragile situation and abuse government finances for their own ends.

Mr Fanega says this means the government cannot meet its current and budgetted programmes, services and activities.

He says he wants all payment orders from government departments to be re-assessed before being re-submitted to the treasury.

He says accounting officials can also negotiate with creditors to spread out payments.