Treasurer Ian Ling-Stuckey said the 2020 Budget is the start of a five-year strategy to climb out of the current deep economic hole. “The starting point at the time of my appointment as Treasurer on Aug 27, 2019, has now been revealed as a debt to GDP ratio of 42 per cent. The debt to GDP ratio will be reduced from 42 per cent to 38 per cent in just five years.” – he said in a statement.
The National Statistical Office (NSO) needs more funding to carry out this year’s National Population and Housing Census. Acting National Statistician John Igitoi made this known, saying in the 2020 National Budget, the government allocated K100 million for this operation. However, during their planning stage, NSO has done a conservative estimate of K190 million. He said from the government’s appropriation as per the budget for the last year 2019, K80 million was allocated, however, only K30 million was received.
Prime Minister James Marape has supported local projects in Enga by assisting the province with K27 million for projects (new provincial hospital, teachers college, polytechnic college, and others) initiated by the provincial government under the leadership of Governor Sir Peter Ipatas.
East New Britain Governor Nakikus Konga says the 2020 provincial budget is a balanced budget. He said the budget emphasised on living within the means but also serving people. Konga said the 2020 budget framework was geared towards revitalising and consolidating the service delivery model. He said despite of the current fiscal challenges, there was a need to boost the provincial internal revenue as part of the provincial revenue enhancement policy approved by the provincial executive council.
https://postcourier.com.pg/census-budget-cut/
https://www.thenational.com.pg/budget-part-of-steps-to-climb-out-of-crises-treasurer/
https://postcourier.com.pg/govt-gives-k16m-to-support-impact-projects/
https://postcourier.com.pg/wabag-district-gets-k1-million-for-projects/
https://www.thenational.com.pg/balanced-budget-governor/
https://www.thenational.com.pg/pm-gives-k72mil-for-projects/