New Ireland will not fund small project

 By ELIZABETH VUVU

THE New Ireland government has made a stand not to entertain requests for assistance for projects valued at K5,000 and below.

“People should seek this assistance directly from their ward members and local level governments. 

“The provincial government has allocated K400,000 per council wards totalling K4 million in this year’s budget for ward level projects,” Governor Sir Julius Chan said.

He said the budget allocation was the government’s direct assistance to the people at ward levels without taking over the role of the LLGs.

He said this was a big advantage for the people who did not need big capital investment but seed capital to start village projects.

“Many requests for financial assistance for variety of projects have been received at the provincial assembly when it should be directed to LLGs to deal with.

“The provincial government undertook the needs and frustrations expressed at ward levels during the combined government and administration patrols in April and May last year.

“The 2011 budget has been framed to meet this,” he said

Sir Julius said the provincial government and appointed assembly representatives who had budgetary allocations would address big impact projects for larger communities only.

He said 2011 was a year of implementation to deliver the people’s priorities.