Governor blames grant delays for teacher fares

Allan Bird outside the East Sepik Provincial Health Authority office in Wewak recently (Image: Supplied)

Responding to concerns raised by teachers in East Sepik regarding their outstanding 2024 leave fares, East Sepik Governor Allan Bird says the East Sepik Provincial Government [ESPG] has unfortunately not received any of its Functional Grants from the Department of Treasury and Finance since May last year.

Governor Bird, responding via social media, says this includes the bulk of Teachers Annual Leave Fares.
He says ESPG is owed K34.7 million, of which 70% are functional grants.

According to Governor Bird, he has been informed that all provinces are in the same boat and have not received any grants from the national government for 9 months now adding that no cash has been received this year as yet and the first quarter is gone.

"We are still chasing treasury for your leave fares. Unfortunately, it is part of the grant that has not been paid for nine months now," said Governor Bird.

He further added that the country has a serious cash flow problem from his assessment, but no one in Treasury or Finance is saying anything.

"I checked again last Friday, but nothing positive has been forthcoming," he said.

Governor Bird further appealed to teachers affected to bear with the provincial government as they work through this difficult period.