Cuts to the Morobe funding allocations in the 2017 budget will see development project activity slow down in the new year as the provincial government adjusts to the reduction.
But Governor, Kelly Naru, who has remained supportive of the National Government said the relatively conservative projections presented by treasurer, Patrick Pruaitch, is “a disciplined budget” and that the province will now have to live within its means.
“We expected a budget ceiling of K122.9 million,” Naru said. “However, our budget allocation has been reduced to K101.7 million.”
Living within their means will mean cutting back on the development budget. This means Morobeans can expect to see less of new buildings, roads and bridges.
The Governor has also issued orders for spending on overseas trips to be halted. However, popular expenditure items like the medevac program will remain despite the cuts.
Since 2012, Morobe’s budget has averaged between K300 and K350 million . A reduction is expected to be announced at the end of this month when that budget is handed down. It will reflect what is contained in the National budget.
