FRENCH Polynesian MP Mereana Reid Arbelot has publicly accused the French government of failing to release millions in funds for anti-drug efforts and nuclear test victim compensation.
Her outcry forced Overseas Territories Minister Naïma Moutchou to defend the government’s commitment during a tense parliamentary exchange.
During a Questions to the Government (QAG) session, the pro-independence lawmaker demanded to know why two budgetary amendments adopted in January remain unimplemented.
The amendments — passed via the government’s Article 49.3 procedure — allocated €2 million to the fight against crystal methamphetamine (“ice”) and created an additional staff position for CIVEN, the body responsible for speeding up compensation for victims of France’s nuclear testing program in Polynesia.
“Neither CIVEN nor the High Commission have seen these funds even though they were voted for and allocated,” Reid Arbelot said.
The MP stated that she had tried to contact the overseas ministry’s services for months “without result,” receiving only “evasive answers or shifting of responsibilities between ministries.”
“Do we really need a QAG for the administration to carry out what the government itself has adopted?” she asked bluntly. “It is not the place of a parliamentarian to become a budgetary detective.”
In response, Minister Naïma Moutchou reaffirmed the State’s commitments.
“This allocation of €2 million additional euros to fight against ice — will be implemented,” Moutchou said. “I myself will ensure in conjunction with the Minister of the Interior; it’s timely implementation.
On the CIVEN position, Moutchou added: “Here too, the commitment will be met soon. This additional position will be filled.”
Reid Arbelot said she “takes note” of the response but expressed regret that parliamentary questioning was required to get things moving.
Source: TNTV News
