By Julie Badui Owa – EMTV News
The Minister for National Planning, Richard Maru has called on each Province in the country to increase its internal revenue contribution to the National Government in order to help raise the country’s economy.
Maru said PNG makes K10 billion as its revenue and that’s not enough.
He said this during the launching of the Eastern Highlands Provincial five-year Development Plan, which was officiated by Prime Minister Peter O’Neill on Friday at Goroka’s National Park.
Eastern Highlands Province was the first Province in the country to launch its five-year Development Plan.
Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, arrived in Goroka with Minister for National Planning, Richard Maru and other delegates to officiate the launching of Eastern Highlands Province 5-Year Development Plan.
They were welcomed by the Governor for Eastern Highlands, Peter Numu, the 8 District MPs and the people of Eastern Highlands.
Mr. O’Neil said during the launching of the Development Plan that stability, policy and a plan are important for a country’s development.
Eastern Highlands Province is made up of 8 districts including Goroka and has a population of over 600 thousand. The province’s current developments include this new Airport and Hospital.
The Province contributes K15 to K20 million each year towards the Country’s total Revenue of K10 billion.
The National Planning Minister, Richard Maru told the Eastern Highlands Provincial Government to double its internal revenue with their new development plan.
Eastern Highlands Province new developments that are expected to begin next year is a new Stadium and the refurbishment of Goroka’s Market by the National Government and Eastern Highlands Provincial Government.
The Governor for Eastern Highlands, Peter Numu has also called on the government to help fix roads in Eastern Highlands in order for the Province to increase its internal revenue.
