Casual workers sent home, offices closed to cut costs

By JAMES GUMUNO
THE Western Highlands government is cutting costs by laying off casual workers and closing some offices.
Closed are the provincial disaster office, Western Highlands Development Authority, Foreign Aid, and the provincial national identification office.
Governor Paias Wingti said they were taking these measures due to funding problems. He said casual workers employed since 2012 would be also be laid off this year.
Wingti outlined his government’s plans on Wednesday when handing down the provincial budget of K202.4 million for this year at Kagamuga.
Wingti said that he was sorry for the casuals but due to funding constraints, the provincial government could not keep them.
He said that he would recall the casual workers when the financial situation improved.
He said whatever little money coming into the province from the national government would be used on priority areas for the betterment of the province.
Wingti told his provincial executive council members that this year would be very challenging.
“Let’s not lose focus, we will all struggle through but we should be fine after two years or so.”