BHOR passes 2023 ABG Supplementary Budget
The Bougainville House of Representatives passed the 2023 ABG Supplementary Budget following an increase in the 2023 ABG Budget by K57.5million.
ABG Minister for Treasury and Finance Hon. Mathias Salas when tabling the Supplementary Appropriation Bill 2023 in parliament this week, said the increase was a result of additional funds received after the Bougainville House of Representatives after the 2023 ABG Budget was passed in December last year.
“After the Budget was passed, the National Government, through the Departments of Treasury and Finance released the bulk and/or balances of the development budget to the ABG,” Salas said.
“From the outset, the 2023 Supplementary Budget is an increased Budget of K736,679,000 from K679,179,000 which was passed by this Honorable House in December 2022. The increase includes K57,500,000 of new funding which was received after this House passed the 2023 Budget.”
Minister Salas clarified that the supplementary budget only affects the ABG’s development budget and not the recurrent component of the budget.
Of the K57.5M additional funds, K50M is part of the 2022 Restoration and Development Grant re-appropriated funds, K7M is from the Public Investment Program component and K0.5M is from the ABG’s internal revenue from its investment with BSP Capital.
Minister Salas highlighted that key priorities of the 2023 Supplementary budget have not deviated much from those of 2022, adding that the ABG through the executive government wants to maintain consistency and strengthen existing priorities that will enhance Bougainville’s journey towards independence.
The K50M has been re-allocated to fund 2022 RDG projects that had faced massive cuts in 2022 when the National Government slashed a significant amount from Bougainville’s Restoration and Development Grant in 2022.
Under the 2023 ABG Supplementary Budget, some of these key projects include Bougainville Public Health Project with an allocation of K1.5M and the completion of Arawa School of Nursing receiving K1M under the health sector.
Under the economic sector, key projects funded include the establishment of Capital Insurance on Bougainville, Bougainville Labour Mobility Program and the Bougainville Tuna Industry program.
Under the governance sector, funding has been allocated for Constituency Independence Ready programs, Constituent Assembly, and also to OBEC to conduct the By-Election of the South Bougainville Veterans seat. Furthermore, the ABG has allocated funds to offset outstanding ABG commitments to service providers and Veterans.
The Bougainville Police Service has also received support in this 2023 Supplementary Budget for infrastructure and capacity building, including additional support for ABG’s Operation Challenger under the law and justice sector.
Under the infrastructure sector, projects highlighted include the redevelopment of DPI stations, the Desalination Plant project for Nissan and Atolls and the feasibility study for Pagara River Bridge re-development.
The K7M is under the Regional Member’s PIP component and is earmarked for the purchase of new shipping vessel for the people of Atolls and Nissan.
Minister Salas reminded the House that the 2023 Supplementary Budget is aligned with the President’s Six-Point Strategy, adding that all key projects remain intact while others have been deferred to 2024 for implementation.
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