SHP keen to address law and order issues

The National National

By LUKE KAMA
Southern Highlands government is focusing on addressing law and order, driving small-to-medium enterprises and rebuilding provincial governance systems this year, Governor William Powi says.
Powi, accompanied by provincial administrator Joseph Cajetan, presented their provincial government’s budget of K398 million for the 2019 fiscal year to Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer Charles Abel in Port Moresby on Friday.
The K398, 537, 920 budget includes:

  • National Government grants of K204,110,475;
  • internal revenue of K179,750,000; and,
  • rollover funds from 2016-2018 totalling K14,677,445.

“Our first priority this year is on addressing and rebuilding law and order in the province,” he said.
“This is important to provide a conducive environment for business and other development activities to thrive.
“We have allocated K3 million to rebuild the court house that was burnt down last year.
“I am also putting K700,000 to boost police recruits into the province.
“We are putting additional funding to support police and Correctional Service operations in purchasing new vehicles and others.”
Powi said the second priority was to drive small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) in the province, particularly focusing on the agriculture sector, using oil and gas money to drive sustainable economic activities.
“Once we deal with the law and order issues, we must come up with something to empower our people,” he said.