Andrew Solomon Napuat

The Vanuatu Christian Council (VCC) should not consider the financial assistance it has been receiving from the government as a bribe to agree to whatever the government decides.

This statement was made by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Tanna, Andrew Napuat, in his remarks during the ‘Peoples Meeting’ at the National Summit underway at the National Convention Centre in Port Vila.

The MP made the remark as a Ni-Vanuatu citizen. He also applied the statement to the Malvatumauri National Council of Chiefs whose budget is approved by Parliament. VCC has been receiving annual grants from the government.

Financial assistances from the government are not bribes, but a support to the organisations to carry out their functions, said the MP.

“When the government gives you (the National Council of Chiefs) money, it’s not a bribe, it’s a support to carry out your functions under the Constitution which states that you hold a general competence to discuss matters relating to culture and tradition and you can make recommendations to the government on these matters,” said Napuat.

“You cannot be agreeing to government policies at all times.

“The same applies to VCC, when the government gives you a grant, it does not mean you should be following what the government thinks. You should be defending Christian principles. You tell the government how it should govern according to the Christian principles.”

Napuat made his remarks following presentations from the Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Department of Strategic Planning, Policy and Aid Coordination (DSPPAC) and the Malvatumauri Council of Chiefs.

In their presentations, VCC and the Malvatumauri Council of Chiefs highlighted achievements and challenges faced in implementing the National Sustainable Development Plan (NSDP), the country’s highest level policy framework. They also offer recommendations to address challenges.

The NSDP is founded on culture, traditional knowledge and Christian principles, and builds on the country’s development journey since in 1980. Custom and culture is a cross cutting principle in all pillars of the NSDP. Churches also play important role in fostering development.

source:Vanuatu daily post