Eastern Highlands Governor Peter Numu says the national government’s 2020 budget has to be realistic, and funds need to be released on time following the delays of Provincial and District Service Improvement Program (PSIP and DSIP) funds, and functional grants, from the National Government.
The Eastern Highlands Provincial Government has plans to improve and link roads in the province by 2022, however this will depend on funding from the National Government according to Numu
The province has only received about K8 million out of the K40 million of functional grants according to the governor which are given by the National Government for the province’s administration.
In addition, Numu said the PSIP and DSIP funds have also been delayed.
“It’s a big province with big land mass and mountainous areas, where its difficult to build roads. Our population is also big. How can I manage or govern a big province like this with K8 million? That’s impossible”.
The Eastern Highlands government is focusing on improving, and building roads to encourage agriculture, and investment and with the national governments plans to grow the economy, the Governor says the provincial governments have to be empowered to start in their provinces, and must be given their funds on time.
“I agree with the Prime Minister who said that we have to grow the economy, so empower us. Give us the capacity to explore, expound, and do more so that we make more money and we grow our economy”.
The Eastern Highlands Provincial government is calling on the National Government to release funds on time, because the delays are hindering projects.
By Lucy Kopana, EMTV News, Lae
