By JOEL K ANDREW
FOREIGN Affairs Secretary Elias Wohengu has announced that the Marape-Rosso Government has released funding to the department for foreign missions.
He acknowledged the government for its support and grants that were released through a standard budget allocation.
The secretary said K100 million was released to the department this year for the first time in the history of PNG foreign service, as the government’s budget is K127 million.
“We have a budget of K100 million for this year,” WOhengu said.
“From 2024 and onwards, I want to assure the country that the diplomatic missions abroad have been given priority and the government has planned a funding level of more than K200m.”
He said this signifies the level of commitment the government is giving to foreign missions and implies that the welfare and livelihood of the diplomatic agents abroad are well taken care of from now and into the future.
Wohengu said the National Government has allocated an additional K10m to the department to refleet vehicles at PNG missions and posts.
The money was sent to seven missions for the refleeting exercises as most of these vehicles have been there for more than a decade.
“The government also assured us of another K10m next year to continue the refleeting exercise,” he said.
The secretarys said the government has given another K18 million purposely for refurbishment and renovation of state-owned assets at PNG missions and posts.
“We will send the K18m to two missions – Australia and Indonesia – because we have 11 assets in these two countries,” Wohengu said.
“Six assets owned by the state are in Australia, one of which is the iconic Somare Haus and five other accommodations as well.”
He said the Papua New Guinea Embassy in Israel remains closed temporarily due to the situation on the ground.
