BY SAMIE WAIKORI
The Makira-Ulawa provincial government has shown progress in its PCDF execution, after coming back from several years of disqualification from the SIG and donor-funded programme.
MUP Minister for Finance and Treasury, Silas Wagatora highlighted this in his assembly speech, at MUP full assembly meeting held in Kirakira last week.
He said under MUP capital budget, all projects from the 2024/2025 revised budget attached to the PCDF qualified amount have been carried forward to the 2025/2026 financial year.
“Most of these projects have been tendered; however, the province is still awaiting the PCDF qualified funds as announced earlier this year.
“Once received in the MUPG–PCDF account, contractor’s engagements, contracts, mobilization and actual construction work will commence promptly.
“Some of the projects are already out on tenders, pending PTB’s decisions, whilst few are yet to be tendered.
“The province will tender more projects, after reports are submitted to the Provincial Secretary by specialists as required by donors, procurement process will commence,” Wagatora said.
Meanwhile, the finance minister said while MUP is facing delay of funding release from national government, it also raises alarm on the release of the PCDF funding.
“The delays of funding release will not threaten us, but trigger issues required for the release of PCDF funding, which is currently dealt with by the administration,” he said.
Wagatora said MUP is trying to stay on top of the matter, guaranteeing the dedication of the province to maintain its status on the PCDF programme.
He also mentioned that MUP’s capital budget also incorporates new indicative figures for SIG-PCDF, LoCAL PCDF, and IEDCR-PCDF.
Wagatora said the figures remain subject to the 2023/2024 assessment results. Hence, the overall fiscal performance of the 2025/26 budget is contingent upon the timely receipt of the PCDF funding.
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