Port Vila, Vanuatu - The Vanuatu Government has admitted that news of the Millennium Challenge fund has a different tune to the ears of members of the John Frum cult movement on the southern island of Tanna.
Minister of Finance, Willie Jimmy Tapangararua confirmed that the government was aware of the misunderstanding and confusion surrounding the US Millennium Challenge Account, amongst members of the cult movement.
John Frum representative in Parliament under the umbrella of the Union of Moderate Parties (UMP), Hon. Keasipai Song, told parliament this morning that members of this cargo cult, believed that the Millennium Fund, was a fulfilment of promises by its founder, John Frum, an American medical corpsman, who promised the bushmen after the war, of ship loads of presents.
MP Song said he has found it difficult to convince them to believe otherwise.
“I can explain to them how the funds were made possible for Vanuatu to develop its infrastructure but I will not be wearing the right glove to clearly deliver that message to them,” he told parliament.
“Can you yourself, Hon. Minister of Finance, come to Tanna to explain it to them”, he asked.
In response, Minister Jimmy confirmed that the government is aware of the “problem” and that it is looking at engaging a team consisting of members of the TCS to travel to Tanna to explain it how the funds were made available to the Vanuatu Government and the people of Vanuatu.