PM assures people that funds will be released

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PRIME MINISTER James Marape, pictured, has assured the leaders and people of Western that public funds belonging to the people will be released.
He said that in response to concerns raised by the leaders of Western led by Governor Taboi Awi Yoto that a lot of funds belonging to the people were left in different trust accounts and he wanted the funds to be released to the province.
Marape said he would get back to Port Moresby and check out whatever funds belonging to the people would be released to the province to use to improve the lives of people.
The prime minister was referring to funds for the province from benefits from Ok Tedi Gold Mine,
Consultative Implementation and Monitoring Council (CIMC), non-CIMC funds and others like the PNGSDP funds for the people.
The prime minister made the assurance during the launching of the Western five-year development on Friday in Kiunga.
He was in the province on the invitation of the leaders and people to launch the development plan that coincided with the launching of the three district development plan and sealing of the Kiunga-Tabubil Highway to be funded by Ok Tedi through a tax credit scheme and construction of the Kiunga-Nomad road by the provincial government.
Marape said going along with road sealing from Kiunga to Tabubil should be electricity and water supply.
Marape committed to a budget of K20 million in the 2020 Budget to go towards infrastructure development in Western.