Government committed to trickle growth to the people

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, June 23, 2013 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

THE government is committed in service delivery right down to the rural population. 

That was the message from the Minister of Treasury Don Polye at the ANZ Bank’s goMoney soft-launch at the Lamana Hotel, Port Moresby.

He reiterated the commitment of the O’Neill-Dion Government to drive the growth the country is currently enjoying, not only in health, education and infrastructure, but to also empower the people.

Further adding, Papua New Guinea’s growth in the recent past two years has been very good. 11.1% in 2011, 9.2% in 2012, while in 2013 it is predicted to be 4.0% and 5.5% in 2014. The Minister was, however, optimistic that it will increase considering 5.9% growth in the first quarter of 2013.

Mr Polye stated the government understood the failure of successive governments to pass on such growth to the people.

“The strong economic growth that we have been enjoying has not trickled down to the ordinary people in the remote villages of PNG,” he said

“We have learnt that strong growth does not necessarily mean strong development across PNG.”

The minister highlighted five main areas the government will focus on to share the benefits the country is experiencing at the moment:

·        Increased allocations to sub-national levels- K10 million to each district- K890 million in total;

·        Increasing the Tenders Board threshold from K3 million to K5 million. Improving implementation at the sub-national level.

·        Support Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Providing K320 million to assist the agriculture sector. A further K80 million to the National Development bank- 30% of the amount will be reserved for women starting businesses.

·        Microfinance Expansion Program (MEP). Enabling financial inclusion for all Papua New Guineans, such as the establishment of the Centre for Excellence in Financial Inclusion on April 24.

·        Good governance through a multi-year budget  to give predictability and confidence to the people and business community in PNG so that everyone knows where the money will be spent in the next five years.

He also thanked all the financial institutions on behalf of the government for implementing the National Government’s development agendas.