Southern Highlands presents 2015 Provincial budget to the Treasurer

PNG Treasury Minister Patrick Puaitch

Oil and gas-rich Southern Highlands yesterday presented its K366 million budget for 2015 to Treasurer, Hon. Patrick Pruaitch, CMG, MP.

Governor, Hon. William Powi, MP, described it as a restoration and rehabilitation budget structured mainly to revamp, re-develop and construct both existing and new infrastructure.

He told Mr Pruaitch the target of the budget was to upgrade all infrastructures including elementary and primary schools, 38 health facilities, nine high schools, seven secondary schools, a nursing college, teachers college, 46 provincial feeder roads and other essential services.

Mr Powi said the delay in presenting the final draft of the budget was due to not being able to include income estimates from the LNG project earmarked for the province.

He said as soon as confirmation was received from the State on the accumulated amount owed the budget would be revised to factor the extra revenue.

Mr Pruaitch said he was impressed with the activity plan put forward and would work closely with the province to factor in the missing revenue input as soon as the Government finalised the figures.