Caption: Don Polye
By MATTHEW VARI
IN a media conference held yesterday- the Opposition Leader and Member for Kandep, Don Polye, has called on the Prime Minister and his government to admit that the government has run out of cash.
He said that there is no money in the system, and the private sector is under stress, as there is no liquidity in country’s domestic economy.
“The government cannot easily raise funds through government securities, like treasury inscribed stock and treasury bills,” Mr Polye said.
“No wonder I see important and fundamental public systems now running out of money- for instance an important component of public service is the education sector.”
“It has no money in the system to look at small in-house issues like the payment of airfares, let alone the commitments the government is going to make in the New Year that is coming.”
Polye pointed out that it was his belief in the first quarter of next year that the government will be looking for money, as there will not be any funds available even to mitigate on some challenges that may arise without warning.
“If there are natural disasters like floods, volcanoes, and earthquakes- unexpected disaster we will not ready and the PM must come out and reassure the people if there are funds available to mitigate such challenges,” he said.
“From my assessment and the advise that I get from the most reliable professional systems in place in Papua New Guinea, the government is running out of money, in other words the government will have no funds for the supply machinery when there are disasters.”
“Also to meet the capital projects that the government is planning in the New Year is another matter they must consider.”
He said he was raising the issues as the truth and reality of the situation that the nation is faced with in order enable preparations a fallback plan, which he added was dependent on the government to set in place.
“It is the duty of government to get the people prepared and to have a fallback plan as to how the government will manage the people’s affairs to deliver services like medicines, school fees, and other services.”
“I do note that the government is saying that things are okay and that everything is under control- it is easy to say that but I see that Waigaini’s accounts there is no money in the balance.”
Departments are accruing debt as operating funds budgeted for the close down period have been depleted, with some public servants stating that the state had taken funds to assist fund the added costs in terms of SP Games projects.
“The government will now be under pressure to meet obligations which it will now scurry around to look for,” Polye added.
“They have squeezed everything out through the supplementary budget and there remains no more funds.”
You will now find that they have gone through operational budgets of state departments adding more to the recurrent expenditure.”
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