Hargo.co.id, GORONTALO – Numerous issues came to light during the consolidation meeting, the first agenda of Sila Botutihe as the Acting Regent (Penjabup) of North Gorontalo (Gorut), held on Wednesday (December 13, 2023).
Among these issues was the stark disparity between physical realization and financial realization. Many completed projects or programs had financial realizations far below the targeted program achievements.
Not only that, during the meeting, it was revealed that there is approximately Rp 40 billion in funds that are expected to become unspent funds (silpa).
However, it seems that this money is the last hope for the region to resolve financial issues in the remaining budget year.
To decide whether this fund will be used as a solution to address various issues in the region, a thorough examination is necessary, as stated by the Head of the Education Office, Irwan Usman.
According to Irwan, before making a decision, it is advisable to conduct a study based on legal considerations.
“There needs to be a legal study and considerations before deciding to enact it into a Regional Regulation (Perkada),” said Irwan.
Upon hearing this, Sila questioned the high-ranking officials present at the meeting whether the study proposed by Irwan Usman had been previously conducted.
This question was then answered by several top officials in the Gorut Regency government.
Namely, Secretary (Sekda) Suleman Lakoro, the former Head of Legal Affairs who is currently the Head of Social Affairs, and the former Head of Development who has become the Head of Animal Husbandry.
All three provided the same answer, stating that a thorough study had been conducted.
Unfortunately, this study was reportedly not followed up by the previous leadership, precisely when changes to the Regional Budget (APBD) were made.
These existing issues will undoubtedly pose the greatest challenge for Sila Botutihe, who has gained the trust of the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Jokowi, through the Minister of Home Affairs, Tito Karnavian, to assume the number one position in the Gorut Regency (*).
Author: Alosius M. Budiman
