PM receives K250mil budget plan

PARLIAMENT’S budget plan of K250 million was presented to Prime Minister Peter O’Neill on Friday by Speaker Job Pomat.
It is a requirement at this time each year under the Constitution.
Pomat thanked O’Neill for having the time to receive the budget and assured him of implementing some of the matters raised by him; particularly on improving and building an effective working committee system in Parliament. O’Neill asked the Speaker and his Parliament executive team comprising the clerk, Vela Konivaro, and his management to put efforts into improving and building a better and stronger committee system which included increasing resources and staff of every MP.
O’Neill raised that a lot of the MPs were in need of more staff to run their office at Parliament.
Some MPs are doing their own typing and clerical work which should have been done by their office secretaries and support staff. The prime minister expects staff ceiling to be increased to six or more per MP besides bigger and proper office space to accommodate them.
O’Neill wanted the matter to be addressed by Parliament so that members could be comfortable and ready to do their jobs properly in conducting their business of running the country through Parliament. O’Neill assured the Speaker and senior managers that he would pass the budget to Treasury and ensure its approved as soon as possible.
Konivaro later in the evening addressed staff on the budget and the revised structure which included upgrading and expansion of the committee system. The changes will see new offices to expend and properly coordinate and manage work of various committees systems currently employed by Parliament.
The revised structure of Parliament was due in 2014, resulting in many senior officers and managers performing their jobs on acting bases.
‘Pomat then told the staff to be happy that the structure had been approved and a lot of people would be seeing changes in their jobs and positions.