By
Aloysius Laukai
The
Minister for Finance and Treasury, Mathias Salas, has said Bougainville
Mr
Salas was responding to allegations made by the member for Peit, Lawrence Bele,
who questioned why funded projects were being delayed. Mr Bele said he was very
concerned at the number of incomplete projects in his constituency because of
the late release of funds from the Treasury.
The Minister
for Finance said that by this week the Government would finalise the first
instalment of K4.4 million for projects for this year.
Mr
Salas said due to the global financial crisis, the PNG Government would have a
shortfall of about K500 million in this year’s budget, which is affecting funds
coming to Bougainville.
On the
issue of awarding of project contracts, the Minister said his Ministry was “just
a mere clerk” who looks after the funds and does not get involved in awarding contracts.
Mr Salas also said that it was also up to the individual members to follow up small projects.
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