K90m WHP budget granted

TREASURY and Finance Minister Patrick Pruaitch has approved the K90 million budget of the Western Highlands provincial government for this year.
Mr Pruaitch gave his approval under section 141 of the Organic Law on the Provincial and Local Level Government.
The provincial executive council passed a K89.7 million provincial budget on Jan 22 and sent it to the minister for his approval.
All provincial budgets must be approved by the Treasurer before funds can be drawn and expanded.
The WHP 2010 budget comprises K67,791,800 in National Government grants and K21,421,400 in internal revenue.
A sizable chunk of the National Government grants, or K47,421,400 (70%) will go to personnel emoluments.
On the other hand, only K3 million in district and provincial grants will be spent on projects.
The remaining K17,370,400 has been allocated for other service delivery activities of the administration including the minimum priority activities of the five pillar programmes identified under the Medium Term Development Strategies (MTDS).
The teachers salaries and allowance took up the biggest share of the budget with the total allocation of  K34,536,900 followed by other public servants salaries and allowance with a total allocation of K11, 433,000.