Budget cuts ‘challenging’

MORE than K23 million has been cut from the Department of Defence in the 2019 Supplementary Budget.
Commander Gilbert Toropo told The National that the cuts were “very unfortunate” and would make things “extremely challenging”.
“The cuts are unfortunate but expected due to the current economic climate,” he said
“It will make it extremely challenging to keep over 200 troops at the PNG and Indonesia borders and the 300 plus troops up in the Highlands.
“The Department will have to stop new programmes and prioritise only service providers like catering, water and electricity.”
Toropo called on the people to be prudent in their expenditure.
“Cut programmes that could be deferred to next year to avoid wastage of funds so that we can end the year with some success despite the challenges, especially in operations.”
The supplementary budget was tabled last Friday in Parliament with the biggest cut made in the Treasury and Finance departments of K112mil, followed by the Judiciary Services with a cut of over K38mil and the Provincial and Local Government Affairs with a cut of K24mil.
Police got a cut of K15mil and the Correctional Institute Services with K9mil.