Polye: Budget will not be wasted

By JEFFREY ELAPA
THE government wants to see the effective implementation of the 2012 budget, Treasurer and Minister for Finance Don Polye says.
In his New Year message, Polye said the focus of the government was to make sure the budget “is not a waste”.
“We all do not want to see the biggest budget ever become another one that is abused with misappropriation of funds,” he said.
“It is my duty and that of the prime minister and his government to ensure maximum return is achieved from programmes designed under the 2012 budget.”
Polye said the size of the budget “will not create miracles for PNG but prudent management, honesty and effective implementation will transform the lives of the people for the better”.
He said the measure of any government was the well-being of its people and the well-being of the people was best measured by the opportunities the government provided for them.
“Opportunities to express themselves, and to live comfortably and enjoyably, the opportunities for work, to raise families, to educate children, to live without fear of poverty or disease or from any forms of intimidation or threat.
“Opportunities to know that our children will be born into a society of hope, where they can have real change in a good and rewarding life.
“This is the challenge we face in 2012 as a government. This is the challenge for all Papua New Guineans for 2012 and the years to come,” he said.
He said in the 2012 budget, the government had given human resource development and empowerment priority.
“We have placed support to micro, small, medium enterprises as the catalyst to empowering growth in local businesses.
“We have provided for local contractors support guarantee schemes to secure business.
“We have enabled more resources to land in the pockets of low income earners.
“We believe in improving the viability of individuals and families therefore I believed that this approach is the right strategic step in transforming the people.
“We must achieve these strategic objectives in 2012 as setting the platform for achieving sustainable prosperity in the long term.
“However, I am of the firm view that a consecutive series of good budget implemented effectively for the medium and long term will ultimately enable PNG achieve its goals,” he said.
He said everyone needed to develop a new culture of survival for the New Year.
People must resolve to say no to “cheats, free money and dishonest gains”.
He said the 2012 budget supported the hand-up culture and not the hand-out mentality.
“It calls for Papua New Guineans to work hard and to strive for excellence and honest gain. Papua New Guineans cannot undermine their intelligence and capabilities of survival and to flourish through hard gain in these times.”