The Leader of the Opposition Matthew Wale has reiterated his call for PM Manele to immediately dismiss Permanent Secretry (PS) Dr Samson Viulu following his recent admission of reallocating RSDP resources.
Wale criticized the Prime Minister’s initial reshuffle of PS Viulu from MRD to MAL as a superficial attempt to sideline controversy rather than uphold accountability.
“It is now clear that the reshuffle was all about politics and not the interest of the people. Allowing Dr. Viulu to keep influencing RSDP from MAL shows a leadership more interested in private politics than protecting the public interest,” Wale stated.
Wale bluntly dismissed Dr. Viulu’s claim that the reallocation was to ensure that all Constituencies benefit fairly.
“There is nothing fair about the administration of the fund. MPs, notably from the Opposition side, were denied access to this fund before elections.
“After elections, newly elected MPs who joined Government gained access to the funds immediately. Is this Viulu’s version of fairness?” Wale said.
Wale said that the PS’ admission of signing an exchange of notes with China further reveals the irregular nature of this fund.
“Dr. Viulu is not a Minister of the Crown with authority to engage with foreign Governments. This overreach shows a disregard for proper protocol,” Wale stressed.
Hon. Wale said that the lack of care for protocol or accountability surrounding the administration of this fund raises serious questions as to its true purpose and nature.
“What rules are used in the governance of this fund? Why is this Minister for MRD and his PS kept away from the RSDP 2023 fund?” Wale asked.
Hon. Wale further questioned the lack of a report on the RSDP 2023, calling upon the Auditor General to investigate this.
The Leader of Opposition concluded that the PM’s handling of this issue will be a true test of leadership.
“Anything less than PS Viulu’s dismissal would be a clear signal of weak leadership – A PM who cannot dismiss a PS who has control over something that looks more like a political shadow fund than anything else,” Wale concluded.
