Districts not getting funds

WORKS and Implementation Minister Michael Nali says his ministry will be putting out first five expressions of interest for Connect PNG major highways by tomorrow.
He told Parliament yesterday that provinces and districts would not be receiving funds to build roads but could help his ministry select contractors.
Nali was responding to questions raised by a number of MPs in Parliament yesterday about roads in their electorates.
Western Governor Toboi Awi Yoto asked Nali whether funding was available for the Daru-Oriomo-Morehead road in South Fly.
“This road has been my people’s desire for the last 45 years,” he said.
“I want to know whether the money is available for that road and if it is available, when will work begin?”
Nali told Yoto that the Daru-Oriomo-Morehead road was being considered in the Government’s Connect PNG policy and funding was available.
“The Department of Works and Implementation is now gathering data to identify the number of contractors that are in all provinces and districts,” he said.
“Once funding is released, provincial governments, districts and my department will sit together and put these projects on tender and identify contractors that have the capacity to build these roads.
“So we will work together on your project as soon as I receive the funding.
“The Integrated Financial Management System (used by the Government) does not give the department any right or power to shift money; it is now properly guided and it is strict.
“As soon as your money is released, tender will be up and projects will be implemented in consultation with provincial governments and districts.”
North Fly MP James Donald raised a question about building a highway along the border from Western to West Sepik.
Nali told Donald that the Government’s Connect PNG policy would ensure all provinces around the country were connected in the future.