Communities reminded to use government grants responsibly

Communities have been reminded that government grants are public funds that must be used strictly for their intended purposes.

Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs and Public Enterprises, Charan Jeath Singh made the call while officiating the final grant disbursement to 52 groups in Ba, stressing the importance of accountability and transparency.

This recent disbursement brings the total number of supported community-based organisations in the Western Division to 192, covering areas including Sigatoka, Nadi, Lautoka, Rakiraki, Tavua and Ba.

The total amount distributed for Ba alone stands at more than $355,000, contributing to an overall allocation of approximately $1.25 million across the Western Division.

The Minister says that while the Government is committed to empowering communities through these grants, it is equally important that all recipient committees uphold transparency and responsibility.

He says these funds must be used strictly for their intended purposes, and the Ministry will maintain strict monitoring of all funded projects.

He warns that any organisation failing to comply with the grant conditions will be held accountable.

Singh also highlighted improvements in the Ministry’s processes, noting that all grant recipients will now be required to submit completion reports.

He says the Ministry has enhanced its systems to ensure greater transparency, and completion reports will now be mandatory, allowing them to effectively track progress and ensure that communities benefit as intended.

The Ministry says it remains committed to supporting grassroots development while ensuring that public funds are managed with integrity and accountability.