Electorates to take bigger slice in 2015

Caption: Secretary for Treasury Dairi Vere

By MATTHEW VARI

Wednesday, November 19, 2014 (Midweek Chronicle, PNG)

IN its focus in building the nation and providing opportunities for its citizens, the National Government has maintained its strong support in spreading the country’s revenue through the appropriation of 83 percent of K16.2 billion budget presented yesterday.

Presenting the 2015 budget, Secretary for Treasury Dairi Vere pointed out the huge increased investment the government has allocated in the sector to enable development reaches the bulk of the population in the rural areas.

A total of K3.7 billion has been allocated throughout the entire provincial sector through the Services Improvement Program, PSIP, DSIP and the LLGSIP to include Special Support Grants, District Support Grants and commitments to the Autonomous Bougainville Government.

“The O’Neill Dion government is the first government to decentralize finances to those who really understand what goes on in the rural sector,” Secretary Vere said.

“Usually it those in Waigani who do not understand what going on in the rural areas and make decisions on their behalf, it however comes with great responsibility of course on the part of the recipients of these funds.”

Some of the allocations to the Provincial and District sectors includes The Provincial service improvement program has been allocated K220 million, DSIP K890 million, LLGSIP K31 million, Special Support Grants of K86 million, District Support Grants of K56 million, and K115 million towards the Autonomous Bougainville Government- including the Infrastructure Development Grants totaling K120 million.

Also included in the 2015 budget includes the District Education and Health Infrastructure funding that will put an additional K5 million to each districts specifically for Health and Education projects.

“District Education and Health Infrastructure of K445 million, is only tied to education and health infrastructure,” Vere said.

“It will not only about going to a conference to learn about education and health but for infrastructure, in terms of building more classrooms for the districts and health facilities for that matter.”