DEPARTMENT of Higher Education, Research Science and Technology (DHERST) Acting Secretary, Dr Francis Hualupmomi has confirmed that the department has paid about K1.5 million to Air Niugini to facilitate all students travel.
He told this paper that this is for students under TESAS and students that will be travelling by air to their respective provinces.
“I confirm that a total of 14,000 + TESAS students will be traveling by air, road and sea this year. About 12, 000 students will be traveling by air while the rest will be by traveling by sea and road. Air transport cost has increased recently due to inflation. That’s why we’re paying more to Air Niugini,” he said.
“We have already raised K1.5m to Air Niugini to facilitate all students travel. We have already K20m ministerial warrants from the Treasury. We have raised another K4m to Air Niugini to complete the end of year travel exercise.
He also added that about K46 million has been released from the initial 2022 Higher Education Loan Programme (HELP) appropriation of K65m by the Treasury.
“This will enable DHERST to process second and the third batch of loan applicants. We are confident that all our students will travel home safely and enjoy their holidays according to their academic calendars. We will ensure students vacate campus on time to avoid extra expenses to the institutions,” Dr Hualupmomi said.
He also further explained that DHERST had submitted an estimated budget of K98m for 2022, however, it was reduced to K39m due to economic situation.
“As the normal budgetary process, budget sometimes is cut because of economic situation, it’s basically because of the current economic situation, some of the budget has been affected, secondly is because of the election a lot of funding was reallocated to ensure that we have fair and safe election. But otherwise, it’s all good, we have paid off the first semester and we have received K20mill to ensure that students travel back home safely,” he added.
