Simbu passes budget of K44m

By ZACHERY PER
THE Simbu provincial government passed a budget of more than K44 million for this year yesterday, with more than half of it going towards education.
The province received K42,221,400 from the National Government and is expected to raise K2,411,900 from internal revenue for its expenditure for the year.
Governor Fr John Garia said the rollover funds from last year would only be reflected in the first quarter review in March.
He said a monitoring and evaluation committee would be set up to monitor the implementation of the budget.
Fr Garia said K24,765,700 would be used to pay teachers and another K1,416,500 for education functions.
The next biggest chunk of K7,515,500 is taken up by salaries for public servants, followed by K1,924,000 for local level governments, K1.75 million for district support grants, K1.1 million for block grant and K1 million for development support.
Infrastructure will receive K748,100, the health sector K720,000, derivation grant K144,600, Village Courts K341,200, Village Court administration K150,200 and public servant leave fares K204,100.
Fr Garia said they expected K1,477,200 to come from taxes, K521,000 from fees and fines, K192,000 from business receipts and K221,000 from others.
He said the province would provide K300,000 to help fund school operations.
“We cannot provide free or subsidised fees because of our low revenue,” he said.
Chuave MP Jim Nomane said while the figures might look impressive, he wondered if there would be tangible development for the rural people.
He said that given the rugged nature of the province, it was a daunting challenge to bring development to all areas.
He urged MPs, leaders and public servants to cooperate to expand the limited resources of the province.