Grant allocations driven by community requests, committee told

Questions were raised in a parliamentary committee over disparities in how community development grants are distributed by the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM).

Independent Member of Parliament Virendra Lal raised the issue during a review of the office’s annual reports, citing significant differences in project allocations among provinces.

Data presented to the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence showed one province received 112 community projects, while another received 21.

The committee also heard that one province was allocated 78 projects worth $1.2 million, while three other provinces received just one project each, with funding worth only a few thousand dollars.

“Is it because we are just concentrating on certain divisions only?” Mr Lal asked.

Development Grant

Committee members were told that the Small Grant Scheme, now renamed the Development Grant, is a parliamentary-approved fund for community-based projects.

However, the OPM does not determine the number of requests submitted from each division.

Officials said project distribution is largely influenced by commitments made by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka during visits to rural communities, as well as written applications received by the office.

“Most of the projects that we have funded are mostly on the commitment of the PM when he goes out to the rural communities,” OPM official Moape Rokosuka told the committee.

Office of the Prime Minister permanent secretary, Lesi Korovavala, said a standard operating procedure is followed once applications are received.

The process includes verification by the Turaga ni Koro, provincial administrations and divisional commissioners to ensure projects are not already funded through other government programmes.

Mr Korovavala said differences in allocations also reflected varying levels of demand, with some provinces submitting more applications than others.

Allocation criteria

He said communities are also assessed on their contribution to projects, including labour, timber, gravel and other resources, to encourage local ownership and sustainability.

Responding to questions about public awareness of the grants, Mr Korovavala said the office’s public relations team accompanies the Prime Minister on provincial visits to promote the programme.

However, he said applying for funding remains the decision of individual communities.