Swift execution of budget urged

I REFER to your report “Tax relief in K8.9 billion budget” (Nov 21).
First of all, I congratulate the Somare-Temu Government for handing down the biggest budget allocation in the economic history of PNG. This will go a long way to lay a strong foundation for a prosperous nation building. The theme of the budget, “empowering the people”, says it all.
Second, to empower the people, it would be a good idea to set up micro-credit scheme and other socio-economic projects in the districts that would go a long way to facilitate economic growth and development in the respective districts. Micro-credit scheme, once established and funded, should be a self-sustaining project that will directly empower the people economically and socially forever.
In the 34 districts of the Highlands region and other volatile regions, maintaining law and order should be the priority projects and the presence of the State, through its law enforcing agencies, must be felt and respected in this region.
Third, it is sad to note that bureaucrats from Agriculture and Live Stock Department have let the people down when they failed to implement the National Agricultural Development Plan (NADP) and get funding for 2008 budget to fund impact agricultural projects in our four regions.
These non-performing bureaucrats must be removed and be replaced by competent former secretaries such as Mathew Kanua and Utula Samana.
Fourth, the allocation of K1.88 billion for development, constitute almost one third of the total expenditure. One of the important development projects that was not included was the Works Minister Don Polye’s proposal to build a national road to link Lae and Port Moresby.
The building of national highway is very crucial for various reasons. Politically, it is imperative that closed regions must be linked up so that entire regions of PNG have access to their nation’s capital.
If we have that road linking Lae and Port Moresby, then it would be viable to centralise all powers at Waigani. Senior bureaucrats from Waigani would find it easier to travel, assist and monitor junior bureaucrats at the provincial and district level. Delivery of goods and services would be effective and efficient.
Economically speaking, linking Lae and Port Moresby would reduce the cost of travelling, particularly when the travelling public is given an alternative means of transport.
This would increase in domestic travel either by land or air and help the tourism industry to grow. Overseas tourists would find it cheaper to travel within the country.
Fifth, I believe God has listened to our prayers. The economic success is not by chance, or due to the increase in prices of our commodities. The NA-led Government has a successful record of fiscal discipline in the last five years. The economic success was a result of the Government’s prudent macroeconomic management.
The challenge is now on the bureaucrats to swiftly implement the budget so that Government policies, plans and programmes are realised and ultimately lay a solid foundation for a prosperous PNG.

Mamando Pain
Laiagam