Hike within budget: PM

The National Main Stories

BY REBECCA KUKU
THE increase in funding of K10 million to each of the 96 districts is “within the Budget”, says Prime Minister James Marape.
Marape clarified that it was not an increase in the District Services Improvement Programme (DSIP) funds, which remained at K10 million for each district.
“We have allocated an additional K5 million for district infrastructure and the Government will counter fund that with another K5 million, if the project complements government-focused areas in education, health, roads, bridges, jetties, electricity and improving our law and order situations,” he said.
Marape said the Government was focused on better education, health, infrastructure, law and order and people’s involvement in businesses.
“To ensure that these focus areas have maximum impact, and reach out to as many of our people as possible, we have increased the DSIP so that district developments authorities and provincial governments have money to carry out their programmes.
“The allocation is based on outcomes which we want districts and provinces to achieve.
“Out of the K20 million, K10 million is for DSIP, K5 million is for infrastructure development, and K5 million is based on a Kina-for-Kina allocation consistent with key government programmes.”
Marape said a National Monitoring Authority would be set up to ensure that the money was used for its intended purposes.
But Deputy Opposition Leader Douglas Tomuriesa said the increase in funding of K10 million to each of the 96 districts should be shelved until the economy improved.
“Yes, we need the money in the districts, but the Government must stick to its budget, and stop giving false hope to MPs with the promise of increased DSIP funds,” he said.
“The economy is already struggling. “Where is the Prime Minister (Marape) going to get the money to fund this?
“Will he put some of the projects captured in the budget on hold to finance this? Will he get another loan to finance this? I call on (PM Marape) to stick to the budget until our economy is stable,” he said.