Governor Allan Bird Defends East Sepik Budget Amid PNG Prime Minister’s Criticism
East Sepik Governor Allan Bird has responded to Prime Minister James Marape’s comments regarding the province’s management of K100 million, emphasizing transparency and good governance in his administration.
In a statement, Governor Bird acknowledged a delay in replying, citing his disregard for public statements from the Prime Minister, which he described as "mass-produced and not worth reading." Bird noted that his response was prompted by advice to address the matter directly, adding that his remarks may have touched a “raw nerve” with the Prime Minister.
Highlighting his commitment to accountability, Bird stated that funds allocated to East Sepik Province are used strictly for their intended purposes in accordance with Public Finance Management rules. He contrasted this with practices he alleges are common at the national level, including misappropriation of funds and the passage of supplementary budgets to retroactively legalize such actions.
The Governor referenced an earlier statement by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), which estimated that up to K5 billion is misappropriated annually in Papua New Guinea. He asserted that East Sepik Province has avoided such issues, emphasizing his non-interference in public service operations and his insistence on proper processes for fund management.
Bird also pointed out service delivery challenges in East Sepik, including law enforcement, electricity, water, fuel supply shortages, and national highway maintenance, which he attributed to national government responsibilities. He expressed optimism about the upcoming tender awards for Sepik Roads by the National Executive Council (NEC), urging that payments be secured through a trust account to avoid delays.
Bird challenged the Prime Minister to clarify which provincial responsibilities East Sepik has failed to fulfill, while reiterating his focus on delivering for the people of his province.
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