FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Authorised by Governor Central Province, Hon. Rufina Peter, MP – Chairperson of the Permanent Parliamentary Committee on Economic Affairs

 

WEDNESDAY 15.03.2023 | The Permanent Parliamentary Committee on Economic Affairs was recently briefed by the National Economic and Fiscal Commission (NEFC) on its function and the implementation of budgets with a special focus on the 2023 National Budget at Parliament House.

 

Committee Chairperson and Central Governor Hon. Rufina Peter, MP said the briefing was an important one for the Committee as it commenced its work to consider matters concerning economic affairs and development of the country.

 

Under the Standing Orders of Parliament, the functions of the Committee include assessing and reviewing the administration of the economy with regards to the implementation of particular government policy, and investigating and reporting on such other matters as the Committee considered appropriate.

 

NEFC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Patrick Painap said the Commission was an advisory body established under the PNG Constitution and Organic Law on Provincial and Local Level Government (LLG) to provide general economic advice to the Government on economic and fiscal matters.

 

“This includes the transfer of funds from Waigani to the LLG, referred to as, fiscal decentralisation,” he said. “Most of our advice is dependent on key studies and analysis that translates into policy and budget and financial arrangements.”

 

Committee members asked questions and made comments during the briefing, in particular on issues relating to the funding structures for the provinces at the District and LLG levels.

 

Chairperson Hon. Peter said the Committee will identify a couple of pertinent economic issues that require the attention of the Committee and with the support of the Secretariat was looking forward to more structured and focused consultations/briefings from Government departments and agencies that come under its jurisdiction, as it performs its oversight role to ensure economic policies and programs were relevant, sufficient and appropriately geared toward supporting the people and government, and that institutions were performing their mandated functions as prescribed by their respective legislations.

 

The membership of the Committee includes; Chairperson Hon. Rufina Peter, MP, Deputy chairperson Hon. Dr. Bill Joseph, Nipa Kutubu MP, and other members: Hon. Freddie Kumai, Talasea MP, Hon.John Kaupa, Moresby North East MP, Hon. Saki Soloma, Okapa MP, Hon. Casmiro Aia, Goilala MP and Hon. Lucas Dekena, Gumine MP.

 

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