By BENSON WEMA
MILNE Bay Governor Gordon Wesley has presented the 2024 budget for his Provincial government to Prime Minister James Marape on Monday.
PM Marape in a statement confirmed, he received on the same day two provincial budgets from the Miline Bay Governor and East Sepik Governor Allan Bird respectively.
The Prime Minister said his government is encouraging all provincial governments deliver for their provinces as the National Government allocates more funds to the provinces.
In the last four years, PM Marape said they have been doing that in the government which he alluded to the records in 2018 provincial budget allocation of K3.3 billion.
In 2023, he said the government’s allocation on provincial governments was K5.6 billion and for this year it dropped to K4.7 billion.
“I believe from a Pangu led government the provinces are closest to the people and they needed to be supported so that their function as service delivery is rolled out to the people,” PM Marape said.
Meanwhile, Governor Wesley announced he is now part of the Pangu Parti after pulling out of the opposition team.
PM Marape being the party leader along with fellow ministers warmly welcomed Governor Wesley and allowed him to successfully initiate the process declaring his resignation from opposition to join the government.
Governor Wesley spoke of his decision to cross the floor was not easy, as he had to critically analyze his own decision.
“I have been in politics for over 40 years of my political career from local level government, Provincial level and the National Government.
“There are other factors but let me conclude by saying, Waigani Parliament is a small political family where both the opposition and Government consist of different ethnic groups representing in parliament.”
The Governor further elaborated, ministers of the parliament must debate on issues of national importance without fear, favour or compromise.
“For me, I rather be in Government to provide sound advice to the young state minister of the country and the Prime Minister rather than debating issues,” Governor Wesley expressed.
