Funds in provinces now
ORDINARY citizens who would like to access funds from the economic stimulus package recently announced by the Government can do so by approaching their provincial governments and district development authorities (DDA), says Treasurer Ian Ling-Stuckey.
Gulf Governor Chris Haiveta asked the Treasurer to spell out the guidelines on how ordinary Papua New Guineans can access the money.
Ling-Stuckey said through the K508 million economic stimulus package, K2 million was given to the districts and K1.5 million to provincial governments.
“It’s a decentralised approach and the funds have been distributed,” Ling-Stuckey said.
“As the people of Papua New Guinea listen to my response, they’ll know immediately that they can approach their provincial governments, they would approach their local development authorities.
“From the K2 million, K500,000 has been set aside for the Wash programme, K1 million for agriculture.
“Another K500,000 is for MSMEs (micro small-medium enterprises).
“Each district and provincial government has their own specific programmes.
“And this particular package was designed to be broad, and flexible,so that it could fit into each requirement of each district and provincial government.
“That’s really important.
“Provincial governments are raising the same amounts except for MSMEs totalling K1.5 million,” Ling-Stuckey said.
6 comments
I wonder the money for Wash Program is adequate for all schools in the respective districts of PNG.
How can we apply for funding support under the three categories mentioned and what is the criteria to meet to be successful recipient of these funds? Funding applications/bids/proposals submitted to the Districts and Provincial governments should be forwarded to a central government coordinating agency for review and selection of successful applicants.
If it is left to Provincial government and district authorities, I doubt they will utilize these funding for their intended purpose. Hardworking, genuine and honest farmers, MSMEs and communities that deserve funding for agriculture, WASH projects and SME will miss out because of corruption, bribery, fraud and nepotism which is rife at the district and provincial government offices.
Again, the MPs have the final say on who gets the monies at the LLG/District level. I say again, the wealth of this country is decided by the 100 plus egalitarian leaders based at Waigani…they decide on who gets what portion or amount for the intended programs or they use it for something else using the through the DDA/JDBPC as rubber stamps…who in the District will question the MP/Chairman if monies are diverted?
How can we apply for funding support under aforementioned categories and what is the criteria to meet to be a successful recipient. Please do let us know because we don’t want to be rejected this time for petty reasons.
Its better the money is parked in the National Development Bank with flexible requirements so GENUINE SMEs with business motives and eager to contribute to the economy apply and utilize otherwise.
This money will be used up by paper farmers and paper MSME’s recepient who won’t be doing anything with the money in line with it’s intended allocation by the government. Because of that, strict criterias must be used to screen serious and genuine farmers and MSMEs who have developed something already and are seeking financial assistance to expand on their business ventures.
Comments are closed.