PNG Parliamentary Opposition Leader James Nomane has commended the Marape-Rosso Government for releasing K2.5 million to every district and province for El Niño relief, saying the funding is needed as communities face worsening food and water shortages.
On behalf of the Opposition, Mr. Nomane in a statement thanked the Government for releasing the funding, saying: “El Niño knows no party line, and neither does compassion.”
Related news: https://www.postcourier.com.pg/k2-5-million-el-nino-relief-funding-released/
“Across our nation, gardens are withering, water sources are drying, and families are rationing what little food remains,” he said in a statement.
The Government previously announced K2.5 million for every district and an additional K2.5 million for each provincial government, including the Autonomous Bougainville Government, with K5 million allocated to the National Disaster Centre for national coordination.
Mr. Nomane said the Secretary for Finance had confirmed the release of the warrants and that the K2.5 million represented 50 per cent of the K5 million appropriated for each district under the Supplementary Budget.
For provinces, he said the amount represented 25 per cent of the K10 million budgeted.
He welcomed Acting Prime Minister John Rosso’s assurance that the funds would be disbursed on Monday (today).
“This Government has been responsive to the people in their hour of need, and it deserves credit for that responsiveness,” Mr. Nomane said.
He said the Opposition had supported the Supplementary Budget because the country faced multiple national challenges, including the El Niño drought, preparations for the 2027 National General Election and fuel costs affecting households.
“These are not Government problems or Opposition problems. They are national problems, and they demand a bipartisan resolution,” he said.
Mr. Nomane said the role of the Opposition was not to oppose for the sake of opposing, but to hold the Government to account and support measures that served the people.
“The duty of the Opposition is not to oppose for the sake of opposing, but to hold power to account and to stand with the Government when it serves the people. Today, it serves the people,” he said.
He called on District Development Authorities and Provincial Administrations to deploy the funds quickly, transparently and directly to communities most affected by the drought.
“I call on the Government to release the balance of El Nino funding without delay,” Mr. Nomane said.
The Supplementary Budget tabled in Parliament included K500 million for the El Niño response, alongside funding for fuel relief and 2027 election preparations.
Nomane said El Niño relief funding was important to help families access clean water, farmers restore food production and communities respond to the effects of the prolonged dry conditions.
Related news: https://www.thepngsun.com/pm-marape-to-attend-un-as-he-instructs-release-of-el-nino-relief-funds/
“That is the measure of good governance: not the warrant signed in Waigani, but the meal served in the village,” he said.
“Kantri blo yumi!”