WESTERN Provincial government intends to spend the projected $20 million revenue on priority areas identified by line division and provincial executives in Western Province.

Western Provincial Minister for Finance and Treasury, Lester Saomasi said the Provincial Assembly is ranked number one with an allocation of $5.2 million.

“A significant portion of this allocation is to fund Ward Assistance Fund which accounts for 3.6 million dollars.

“These are normally paid out to MPAs on quarterly basis to assist with multiple form of request forthcoming from ward residents,” he said.

He explained that he is well aware of “the negative mindset other stake holders had continuously echoed against such arrangement, but the political system adopted unfortunately warrants such bribery otherwise, commitments from MPAs will be questionable leaving the affairs of our ward residents to the whims mercy of Provincial administrators”.

Therefore, Hon Saomasi said the Assembly meeting is being allocated with $1.04 million dollars and if properly coordinated, the sum is adequate to cover the cost of three Assemblies with any incoming regime having the liberty to review the number of meeting if necessary.