The government-tabled 2023 money plan has come as welcomed news for the rural majority and individual households.
22 of the country’s second-tier government will benefit from a K5 billion appropriation and households to benefit from a K590 million relief bundle known as the “Household Assistance Package”.
Treasurer Ian Ling-Stuckey in his ever-flamboyant accent in parliament remarked that the government understands the needs of the people.
“The Marape Government understands that families have been doing it tough with the prices of some key goods rising faster than the overall inflation rate,” Minister Ling-Stuckey said.
Minister for Finance and National Planning Rainbo Paita meanwhile said the big slice of the pie to provinces is part of the government’s efforts to decentralize financial powers.
“We are strengthening provincial and District governments to work with us, unlike before when we’ve held most of the budget at National Planning or Department of Works,” he said.
The money year-marked for next year is the single biggest sector allocation making up for more than a quarter of the budget.
The real test now will be on provincial governments to deliver on projects that will directly benefit the people.
According to the National Research Institute in a recent media release, “The Auditor General has not been able to conduct Financial audits of provincial and District Development Authorities since 2016”.
Comments are closed.