By MATTHEW VARI
AFTER an animated display by members from both sides of the house yesterday that led into the night around 8pm- Parliament will resume today at 10am to continue debates following yesterday’s vocal vote in passing the 2015 budget in parliament.
Yesterday’s session saw also a total of 11 amendment bills associated with budget passed through either through their second or final readings.
Members from across the house raised their concerns over the reduction of Local Level Government Services Improvement Program (LLGSIP) funds.
Deputy Opposition Leader and Member for Bulolo, Sam Basil referred to LLGSIP funds of K500,000 being already incorporated into many of the 313 LLGs long term planning strategies were now put in jeopardy.
“The 313 Local level governments have already incorporated the K500,000 into their development plans to deliver programs and projects at their levels,” Basil said.
“The withdrawal of 80 percent from LLGs is a slap into the face of 313 local level government presidents and their 6131 councilors serving in those wards throughout Papua New Guinea.”
“Let me remind this house that the executive government, the provincial government, and the district government are high up in the pyramid of power- the Local level governments are the closest to the people.”
“Let us not mess around with the people’s government, and I urge the executive government of peter O’Neill to return the K400,000 LLGSIP, and I urge all members of parliament to support their LLGs by demanding their money back to them.”
Governor for Western Province Ati Wobiro also expressed disappointment in the loss of LLGSIP funds, however, he called on all MPs to alleviate the shortfall by supporting their LLGs with more grants to them.
“My only disappointment in the budget is the reduction in LLG funds,” he said.
“This is where us as open members and governors have to step in and help them now that this has happened.”
“It is not about waving our own flag, but it is about supporting the third level of government.”
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