By LYNETTE KIL
NEWLY-appointed Minister for Rural and Economic Development Joseph Lelang is adamant to ensure government revenue is spread equally throughout the provinces and districts.
The Kandrian-Gloucester Member of Parliament and former Opposition Leader said he is more focused in building the country rather than playing politics.
“We are at a time that we will expect a lot of revenue coming in.
“The Porgera gold mine’s reopening saw first gold production worth of K15 million gold being produced,” he said. “This is the beginning, there are major resource projects both in the oil and gas field and off course mineral sector that will be coming on board.
“I will work together with college and cabinet in leadership to look at how we can ensure that revenues coming in is spread equitably throughout the entire nation so that we improve welfare and lives of our people.”
He acknowledged Prime Minister James Marape for creating the new ministry he will be heading.
“The country is going into a difficult time such as the earthquake experienced in the Highlands region that affected the production of oil and gas, resulted in the economic recession in 2019,” Lelang said.
“The economy recession worsened, coupled with the coronavirus — COVID-19 — and recent rioting that caused a lot of asset including people lives.”
He said it is a difficult time for the country, but not difficult for him to decide switching to the government to address issues confronting the people as a nation.
Lelang said other areas of focus that needed improvement are systems structures, cost of service delivery, including of K20 billion funding for 22 provinces and 96 districts.
“That is a lot of money and the importance of this ministry is to ensure systems and structures are looked into to address the issue of accountability and project monitoring, so that the programs and funding must generate impact on the ground,” he said.
“If there is a need for us to look at an equalisation formula to alleviate the burden of certain remote isolated districts from getting a service, this must be all factored in.
“It is important that we need to look at it through the agencies that are available.
“If we have all the districts and provinces fully functional with positive growth and transformation, PNG will also be bombarded with impact and transformation.”
