PNG PM urges MPs to prioritise disaster response over new spending

Members of Parliament have been told to focus on using their existing district and provincial budgets to respond to the El Niño emergency, with PNG Prime Minister James Marape saying there are no extra government funds available to distribute.

PNG PM James Marape speaking in Parliament/Photo supplied

Addressing Parliament, Mr Marape said this was a time for careful financial management rather than expecting fresh allocations from Waigani, as communities across the country continue to feel the effects of the prolonged dry weather.

The Prime Minister was responding to a question from Sinasina-Yongomugl MP Kerenga Kua, who sought an early release of District Services Improvement Program funding to help districts prepare for disaster relief.

Mr Kua proposed that K3 million be released to each district and K5 million to each province, noting that weather forecasts suggested the dry conditions could continue for another six months after the first three months already experienced.

He said having the money available early would allow districts to organise relief efforts before the situation became more severe.

Mr Marape said districts and provinces had already received allocations through the K10 million DSIP and should manage those resources wisely during the current emergency.

He added that although El Niño was not anticipated, the National Government was coordinating its response and ensuring programmes and support systems remained ready to assist affected areas.

The Prime Minister also appealed to MPs to put lower-priority projects on hold and direct available funding towards helping people impacted by the drought.

"The DSIP is K10 million, and it is given to all districts and provinces, and there is no money aside from the allocated funds."

"El Nino is an unplanned weather that has come by and our national government team are fully aware and are working to address the effects it has caused so far.

"Program and facilities will be on standby at this time of disaster."