PNG Southern Region urged to grow internal economy

Minister for National Planning, Hon Richard Maru has urged leaders of Southern Region to focus on raising internal revenue and not to be dependent on the National Government for funding.

He told Provincial Administrators, District CEO’s and attendees at the Medium Term Development Plan (MTDP) III Southern Region Forum, which began on Monday 14th May and ended today (Tuesday 15th May, 2018).

The consultations were held at Dixie Bungalows outside Port Moresby and was also attended by Rigo MP, Hon. Lekwa Gure, Hon Richard Mendani, Ijivitari MP and Hon William Samb, Goilala MP and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Bougainville, Sports and Constitutional Matters.

Minister Maru opened the forum on Moday by highlighting the framework of the MTDPIII and urged Provincial Administrators and District CEO’s to align their 5-year provincial and district plans to the national plan.

All presentations from the Southern region provinces and districts highlighted the need for vital infrastructure like roads, bridges, ports and airstrips to improve service delivery and open up economic corridors that are key for generating internal revenue and contributing to PNG’s economic growth agenda.

While Minister Maru said the Rural Airstrips Agency will get an increased funding because of the important work it is doing in providing accessibility to remote communities, he added that the government will look at key infrastructure that also have economic potential and can sustain themselves.

Similar regional forums have been held in the Highlands and New Guinea Islands Region. The consultations have provided opportunities for provinces and districts to get an insight into how sub-national governments plans are expected to align to the MTDP3.

The MTDP III Momase Region Forum is the next one to be held from 17th – 18th May 2018 in Madang.

Governors, Provincial Administrators, the private sector and civil society from the Momase region are expected to attend the consultations.