Govt’s 100 day plan will kill off economic recovery: Kua

PNG Party leader and Sinasina-Yongumugl MP Kerenga Kua says the Government’s 100 day economic stimulus plan will kill off any prospect of economic recovery in all electorates around the country.

Kua said he was shocked to learn that Treasurer Charles Abel’s “100-Day/25 Point Plan”, which has been approved by the National Executive Council, calls for the reduction of Provincial Support Improvement Programme (PSIP) and District Support Improvement Programme grants by K886 million.

“The public has been made to believe that this was a cornerstone policy of the O’Neill Government but Abel has chosen, without the benefit of any public discussion, to virtually wipe out these initiatives in one foul stroke.

“It is highly disconcerting that huge amounts of public funds continue to be spent on extravagant projects in Port Moresby to the detriment of the rest of the nation.

“Due to the redirection of these constitutionally guaranteed funds, many regional economies were badly neglected and under severe financial strain in the last five years.

“The total cancellation of the PSIP and DSIP spells havoc for all our provincial economies for a further five years,” he said.

He said the Treasurer, who is supposed to have his finger on the pulse of the PNG economy, has categorically stated that the National Government “has had no control or database on all resources leaving the country like gold, copper, logs, fish and others”.

“This is a level of ignorance that is totally inexcusable. Many of our Year 12 students around our country would know better. No wonder the economy is in crisis. Our former National Planning Minister is not even aware today of the nature of statistics that are available to him.

“Interestingly, the same government that has been in office for five years is now telling us they will turn our economy around with this 100 days plan. Unbelievable!” said Kua.

Author: 
Freddy Mou