The 22 provinces will be receiving K3,662.0 million, or 26 per cent of the total budget, which is the largest share of the total Budget.
Treasurer Patrick Pruaitch in handing down the K14.2 billion 2016 Budget said the major appropriations include: DSIP K890 million, PSIP K220 million, LLGSIP K31.4 million, District Support Grants K55.5 million and Special Support Grants K13.3 million.
The administration sector receives K2,545.8 million, or 18 per cent of the total Budget, the second largest share of the Budget.
Major projects include the Lands and Housing Program K20 million, the General Election K10.0 million, APEC Authority K80 million of which K35.0 million will be for both the national elections and APEC security preparation, Drought/Disaster Relief Program K50 million and Agriculture Commercialisation Equity Fund K100 million.
Administration also includes large cross-agency items such as Multi-Departmental Payments of K8.1 million, Government Office Accommodation K200 million, Employers Superannuation contributions K200 million, and Retrenchment K30 million which are allocated under Finance/Treasury-Miscellaneous.
The Health sector receives the third largest share with a total of K1,565.9, million or 11 per cent.
The key Health expenses include: Drugs and Medical Supplies K151 million; church health grants K26 million, Free Health Care K20 million, HIV/AIDS Treatment Drugs K14.1 million and medical equipment K5.6 million.
New projects under the Health sector include Angau Memorial Hospital Redevelopment K40.3 million, Port Moresby Specialised Referral Hospital Rehabilitation K20 million, and PSIP for Provincial hospital Infrastructure K225 million.
The Education sector has received the fourth largest share of K1,312.5 million, or 9 per cent of the total budget. This includes the Government’s Tuition Fee Free Education K602 million, Nursing College Rehabilitation, Teachers College Rehabilitation, and Trade Skill Scholarship, all receiving K10 million each.
The Transport sector receives the fifth largest share of K1,254.1 million or 8.8 per cent.
This comprises government funded Highlands Highway (K200 million), Lae Nadzab Road K45 million, East/West New Britain Highway (upgrading) K20 million, National Highways (K70 million), Lae City Roads and Port Moresby International Terminal Upgrade, both K10 million each.
The Transport sector includes counterpart funded projects.
These are Port Moresby City Roads, Highlands Region Roads Improvement Investment Program and Transport Support Sector Program Phase 2.
The Law and Order sector has received the sixth largest share of K1,240.9 million or 8.7 per cent.
This includes Police Modernization K37.6 million, the Defence Rebuild Program K22.1 million and the National Judiciary Waigani Court Complex Redevelopment K80 million.
The Economic sector is allocated K610.6 million; the Utilities sector K378 million, and debt servicing K1479.6 million while the Community and Culture sector has been allocated K156.4 million.
Pruaitch says these appropriations reflect the Government’s commitment for policy priorities and broad-based economic growth.
However, he said, with these appropriations, the onus is now on the nation’s political leaders and public servants to ensure efficient service delivery and improved livelihoods for people throughout PNG.