Governor commended for presenting budget

TREASURER Ian Ling-Stuckey commended Western Governor Taboi Yoto for presenting his province’s budget of K387.5 million for endorsement by Treasury.
Ling-Stuckey said Western had enormous potential to generate revenue in fisheries, forestry and rich resources in line with Prime Minister James Marape’s suggestion that each province develop its own economy.
“The alignment of your 2020 provincial budget with the medium-term development plan III as well as the Western provincial plan reflects your leadership’s readiness to work with the national government to maximise benefits from the 2020 national government budget,” he said.
Ling-Stuckey, addressing the Fly River government delegation in Port Moresby, said the budget would be vetted by Treasury officials before receiving final ministerial approval.
He also noted concerns raised by Yoto and his team regarding funding of teachers’ leave fares, which he wanted Treasury to release in larger amounts in the first half of the year to ensure teachers in Western would not be stranded.