THE Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening is carrying out a study to seek clarifications on the functional responsibilities of the provincial governments at the provincial level.
In response to debate in Parliament over the Buala communiqué, Minister Walter Folotalu said this study shall be intensified next year to determine who is responsible for what and who should pay for what.
“From the speech delivered by the Deputy Prime Minister in Taro last month, the Ministry is ensuring that the costing of service delivery is undertaken by the Ministry through provincial government strengthening program (PGSP) in 2012,” he said
PGSP is Provincial Government Strengthening Project undertaken in the ministry.
Mr Folotalu said this was a tedious exercise but the outcome of the exercise shall be critical to provincial government planning and budgeting process and even to the Ministry of Finance and Treasury.
“It will enable the National Government to determine the expenditure needs of the provincial governments and thus allocate resources accordingly to the needs of the provinces,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mr Folotalu said the Ministry is aware of the deficiencies in the current Provincial Government Act (PGA)1997 as it has been overtaken by modern day events.
“In this regard we are making efforts to review the PGA 1997 with the help of PGSP and the Centre for Democratic Institution in Canberra.
“Provisions for this are being made in the PGSP annual work plan of 2012,” the MP for Lau Baelelea said.
By EDDIE OSIFELO
Wednesday, 30 November 2011 14:23
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