PROVINCES TO RECIEVE OUTSTANDING PAYMENTS THIS YEAR

By Nigel MADO

The Treasurer, Ian Ling Stuckey has assured that outstanding payments would be made in 2025, with priority areas receiving allocations as soon as funds become available.

Responding to questions from Kandep MP Don Polye on why certain provinces and districts faced issues with payments of Government grants, Ling-Stuckey stated that while tax revenues met expectations, the government was unable to fully disburse budgeted funds due to a shortfall of K1.4 billion in total revenue.

Government departments and provincial administrations across Papua New Guinea faced funding shortfalls in 2024 due to lower-than-expected revenue collections, Treasurer Ian Ling-Stuckey confirmed in Parliament.

He said the shortfall in non-tax revenue meant that some provinces and government departments did not receive their full allocations.

The government has begun clearing K3.6 billion in outstanding expenditures from 2024, with a target to settle the remaining K1.78 billion by May 2025, according to the Treasurer.

Ling-Stuckey on the floor of Parliament said that the government had already paid K1.82 billion in outstanding commitments between December 2024 and early 2025, with funds disbursed via cheques and electronic fund transfers.

Ling-Stuckey assured Parliament that by May 2025, the Government aims to settle all outstanding balances, adding that the Treasury and Finance Departments have a detailed plan to ensure timely payments.

The Treasurer emphasized that fiscal discipline remains a priority, and that the government is working within its 13-year economic plan to maintain financial stability.