Milne Bay endorses K269 million budget amid calls for district cooperation
Milne Bay Governor Gordon Henry Wesley has successfully passed a K269 million provincial budget for 2026, a significant increase from the previous year’s K245 million.
The money plan themed 'Consolidation and Partnership for Development', was presented last Friday to a newly formed assembly following the recent LLG elections.
While the budget represents a K24 million increase attributed largely to cash fund certificates earmarked in 2025, governor Wesley used the occasion to address a recurring hurdle: the heavy reliance on the Provincial Service Improvement Program [PSIP] for development.
Wesley expressed ongoing concern that the provincial government is often left to shoulder the burden of development alone. He urged the province’s National MPs to align their District Service Improvement Program [DSIP] funds with the provincial vision.
"Our other national MPs should also be of assistance in bringing their budgets forward to be cited in this honorable assembly," Wesley said, emphasizing that districts should pool in funds to achieve broader provincial outcomes.
Guided by the Integrated Development Plan 2023–2027, the 2026 appropriation focuses on merging resources across minerals, agriculture, marine sectors, and strategic partnerships.
K121m was allocated to Personnel Emolument Grants, Public Investment Program [K62m], Goods and Services [K34m], Internally Raised Revenue [K26m], Carry Overs [K19 Million] and K5.8m for LLG Grants.
Despite the funding challenges, the newly formed Wesley-Magioudi government reaffirmed its commitment to the K10 million PSIP allocation. This fund will continue to support critical sectors, specifically:
School Infrastructure: Maintaining and upgrading educational facilities.
Tourism Development: Supporting one of the province's most vital economic pillars.
Sectoral Growth: Evaluating and merging resources in agriculture and marine sectors to boost local productivity.
The budget was delivered to a refreshed assembly comprising 14 newly elected LLG presidents and four returning members, signaling a new chapter for the province's administration.