Vanuatu’s Prime Minister Jotham Napat has voiced frustration over the lengthy procedures involved in accessing donor funds meant to assist Vanuatu, stating that such delays delay effective recovery and development efforts.
“I will simply tell them that they must agree to do it our way—one that is feasible and efficient—so the funds can be utilised quickly. If they insist on prolonging the process, they can take their money back to their country.”
The Vanuatu Daily Post reports that PM Napat said a key challenge in managing donor funds is that each donor imposes its own set of rules, which often complicates the disbursement process.
He emphasised the need for an integrated approach to ensure donor and government procedures align for accountability and transparency.
“One of the difficulties in streamlining our process is dealing with donor regulations. However, their processes must be integrated with ours so we can use the funds efficiently and transparently,” he explained.
The PM described the current bureaucratic delays as a persistent issue, adding that some donors attempt to dictate terms when providing financial assistance. However, he affirmed that his government would not accept such conditions.
To strengthen oversight, Napat announced that Members of Parliament (MPs) Fred Samuel and Jackson
Lessa will represent the government in the national recovery team, ensuring decision-making aligns with the country’s priorities.
Additionally, he expressed dissatisfaction with the reports presented by officials handling recovery efforts, stating that while he has reviewed them, he is not pleased with their findings.
He stressed that the government would have the final say in determining how the funds are utilised.
