Former PNG PM O’Neill Criticizes 2024 Budget, Claims Ordinary Citizens Are the Biggest Losers
Former Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has condemned the 2024 national budget, stating that ordinary citizens are bearing the brunt of its shortcomings six months into the year. O’Neill, who is the Member of Parliament for Ialibu-Pangia, accused Prime Minister James Marape of prioritizing his political agenda over the welfare of the people in a statement released yesterday.
Citing a document titled “Year-to-Date Warrants and Appropriations, dated June 24” from the Department of Finance, O’Neill detailed the disparities in budget allocations. He pointed out the "winners" and "losers" in the current budget, arguing that Marape’s approach to budget management shows "enormous disrespect" for the budget law and process. According to O’Neill, these discrepancies reveal significant manipulation aimed at securing political power rather than addressing the needs of the populace.
O’Neill highlighted a recent budget misallocation, where K20 million intended for the people of Gulf Province was redirected to Enga Province. He dismissed Marape’s explanation of this as a “typing error,” claiming that the budget report is riddled with similar “glitches,” which he believes are deliberate manipulations. "Marape has ensured that he and his close associates are the biggest beneficiaries, while a larger portion of our people suffer due to his mismanagement," O’Neill stated.
According to O’Neill, key sectors such as education, health, law enforcement, and agriculture have been severely underfunded. He provided specific examples, noting that Correctional Services received only K2.5 million of its K32 million allocation, education was short by K21.5 million, and universities were underfunded by K36.7 million. The health sector was deprived of K213 million, agriculture by K34.3 million, and SME funds for agricultural development were underfunded by K180 million out of the K200 million allocated. The national census, which was promised K150 million, received only K24.4 million.
In contrast, O’Neill claimed that the biggest budget winners were the Prime Minister’s Department and the National Executive Council (NEC), which received K61.8 million by June 24—K31.8 million more than their approved K30 million. Additionally, the Department of Works was allocated K1.137 billion, with K567.5 million issued, and the Connect PNG program received K500 million out of its K800 million allocation.
However, Minister for Administrative Services and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Constitutional Matters, Richard Masere, disputed O’Neill’s assertions. Responding late yesterday, Masere clarified that the K150 million allocated for the census had indeed been received and was being managed through a trust account by the Department of Finance, countering O’Neill’s claims of budget mismanagement.
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