The Ministry of Waterways only utilised 42 per cent of the total funds allocated in the financial year 2017-2018 under drainage and flood protection.
While submitting its 2017-2018 annual report to the Standing Committee on Natural Resources last week, a Ministry of Waterways representative said the low utilisation of funds was because of the change in the financial year.
“In the financial year 2017/18, the new financial year was decided by Government to start in August 2017 and end in July 2018 instead of the normal January 2017 to December 2017 due to the occurrence of Cyclone Winston,” he said.
“Most of the tenders which supported the Ministry of Waterways (under-utilised) programs were still in the process and were finally awarded to contractors to commence works in May – July 2018.
“The contract awarded fell at the end of the 2017-2018 new financial year.
“Thus the low utilisation of funds. “For instance, maintenance of irrigation schemes only utilised 17.5 per cent.
“Works on the ground commenced in June 2018 by Yandra Viti Investment through the Maintenance and Rehabilitation of Completed Irrigation Scheme, Central Division contract.
“Works on the ground commenced in June 2018 by Valebasoga Quarries and Civil Works Pte Ltd through Maintenance of Irrigation Scheme, Northern Division contract no. WSC 38/2018.”
