26 November, 2009 16:27
ABG sees plot in 2010 PNG Budget
Posted by twtw123 at 26 November, 2009 16:27 [ News ]Acting President, also ABG’s Finance Minister, Mathias Salas said this while questioning the allocations to the ABG in the 2010 National Government Budget.
He said this would have serious implications on the implementation of the Bougainville Peace Agreement.
A very disappointed Mr Salas accused the National Government of not honouring the agreed financial arrangements under the Bougainville Peace Agreement and by failing to allocate K15 million for restoration and development grants.
The National Government’s allocation for ABG this year was K63 million but Bougainville was expecting K70 million.
“I am very disappointed with next year’s allocations to the Bougainville Government.
“This is a slap on the face of the ABG and the people of Bougainville and I suspect that this is a political plot to destroy ABG and water down autonomy,” Mr Salas said.
“The Bougainville trunk road maintenance program will suffer because the National Government did not allocate money in the 2010 Budget.
“And the most talked about Bougainville chapter of the Medium Term Development Strategy is also not funded in the 2010 Budget apart from the oil palm development projects in Torokina, Buka town sewerage and Bougainville rural electrification projects,” he said.
“Where is the K70 million promised to Bougainville under the Medium Term Development Strategy?
“The Joint Supervisory Body resolutions on the Buka ring road sealing, Panguna peace dividend projects and K1.5 million for capacity building in the Mining Division in preparations for the drawdown of mining powers are not reflected in the 2010 Budget for ABG.
“Another commitment by the National Government as agreed to in the JSB was to increase the unconditional recurrent grants to K58 million, this did not eventuate as well.
“These unconditional grants have been increased by more than K900,000,” Mr Salas said.
“As far as ABG is concerned, there will be no major projects in 2010 apart from the commitment by the Japanese Government to start construction on bridges in Bougainville with a budget of K31,631,000 (K32 million) which is a non-cash warrant project funded from outside.
“The ABG is concerned that its plans to strengthen autonomy building under the Bougainville Peace Agreement and continue to implement high impact projects have not been fully reflected in the 2010 National Budget.”

Cheap watches uggs outlet ugg boots on sale nike shoes UGG Bailey ugg 5833 Cartier watches blancpain watches replica Oris watches replica Zenith watches