Chuave MP questions major cut to district funds

Chuave MP and Deputy Opposition Leader James Nomane has queried why his district has received only about K2 million out of the K15m for district funds.

In a series of questions to Treasurer Ian Ling-Stuckey in Parliament yesterday, Nomane said the people of Chimbu "hardly received any functional grants since May last year - and whether a supplementary budget will be introduced."

He added, the supplementary budget should realign expenses, cutting off projects like Connect PNG and focus on key sectors like Health instead:

Treasurer Ian Ling-Stuckey in response, said there was a need to finalize the Mid-year Economic Fiscal outlook report due on 31st July, to see where budget implementation is at before considerations for a supplementary budget are looked into.

He says revenues were down by about K1.5 billion last year, and another K2 billion loss in revenues is expected from tariffs this year.

He's urged all members to utilize funds available in the provincial government, citing K10 million according to IFMS records: