By Jack Lapauve Jr – EMTV News, Port Moresby
National Planning Minister, Richard Maru, says districts and provinces must shift their focus and align service delivery that will generate internal revenue. Minister Maru expressed this during the consultative forum for Southern Region, which began today (May 14) outside Port Moresby.
He says the forum hopes to guide policy makers grasp opinions from districts and provincial governments to achieve an inclusive development framework for all levels of Government. The Planning Minister was vocal in establishing a concrete foundation for an inclusive development plan.
He says provinces must not wait for authorities in Waigani, but create the necessary development projects that can improve the level of service delivery and support its internal revenue.
Planning’s Deputy Secretary Policy, Joe Kap,a says the forum provides the opportunity to link district and provincial plans to the national plan. With the third Medium Term Development Plan in its infant stages, Secretary Kapa hopes a shift in policy framework will deliver impacts in the next 5 years. Despite economic hiccups, Secretary Kapa, says Papua New Guinea has the opportunity to create an economic base through the agriculture sector. He says the focus is now on revenue generation in the domestic market.
Participants attending the two day forum are from Western, Milne Bay, Gulf, and Central provinces. This is the second consultative forum facilitated by the National Planning Department, CIMC and other stakeholders. Madang will host the next consultative forum for the MAMOSE region while Kokopo for the New Guinea Islands.
