NEW Ireland has expressed disappointment and disgust at the 2024 National Government budget allocation for the province.
This was conveyed by members of the Provincial Executive Council (PEC) and Joint Provincial Planning and Budgetary committee (JPP BPC) in Kavieng on Tuesday, December 5 chaired by Governor Sir Julius Chan.
It was highlighted in the meeting that the National Government in passing it’s so call “record budget” of K27 billion last week gave New Ireland a budget of K127, 042, 578 a reduction of K36,328,086 from K162,370,664 this year 2023.
CEO Finance Mr. Richard Andia presented that Public Investment Programme (PIP) funding had been the biggest affected funding with a decrease of K41,500,00 from K78,500,00 to K37,000,000 in the 2024 development budget.
He told members of the JPP BPC and PEC that the National Government Grant Revenue will fund 61% of the NIPG budget for 2024 while internal revenue will cater for 39%.
The PEC expressed that it is a slap in the face for our landowners of Lihir and Simberi especially when New Ireland contribute almost 35% to the National Government’s basket through the two gold mines including New Irelanders contribution of 30% per capita to the country’s GDP.
“The unfair treatment that we get from the National Government is pushing us to fight for greater Autonomy and to support Bougainville’s plight for Independence,” Sir J said.
Kavieng District Administrator Mr. David Lens expressed his views, however stayed silently throughout the meeting.
Namatanai Acting District Administrator Mr. Tifi Taylor did not attend the JPP BPC Meeting.
Meanwhile, the 2024 New Ireland Government final budget estimates will be presented at the final PEC Meeting for the Provincial Assembly’s approval on December 20th, 2023.
