K202mil budget just ‘paper plan’

By JAMES GUMUNO
WESTERN Highlands Governor Paias Wingti has warned provincial executive council members that the K202.4 million budget passed yesterday was only a “paper money plan”.
“I do not know whether the real cash will come or not,” Wingti said.
“But how we develop the province is now up to us.”
He forecast that their financial situation should improve after two years.
Wingti said the Government needed revenue to service its loans, pay public service salaries and pay for its free education policy.
He said the provincial government came fourth on the ladder in terms of funding.
Government grant to Western Highlands is K17.7 million lesser in 2018 than last year.
He is also not sure whether they will receive outstanding grants from the State for 2017.
“The Department of Treasury is issuing us CFC,” he said.
“But there is no cash coming in for last year and we do not know it will come through this year.”
Vice-Minister for Treasury and Tambul/Nebilyer MP Win Dakri Baki told the meeting that there was a cash flow problem in the country.
Baki said the Government was looking for money from its agencies such as PNG Ports, Customs and Internal Revenue Commission.