BY GEORGE MANFORD
AUKI
THE 2018 national budget will see a marked decrease in the provincial budget.
This decrease is set to impact on provincial government’s development plans and service delivery this year.
For Malaita province, the total budget required for 2018 is $12million, but according to the proposed budget from the national government the amount has been reduced to $10million.
Information sighted this paper said while national government has decreased funds for the provinces, it has boosted its rural constituency development fund (RCDF).
However, it is said that the province’s version of the RCDF, the provincial community development fund (PCDF) contributes more to development in the communities than its national counterpart.
“RCDF somehow did not provide any good impacts in terms of developments as seen in our constituencies but only the projects under the PCDF are implemented in our wards,” the information says.
People are questioning government why it is raising its RCDF when there is only 10 months left.
Concerns also have it that a lot of provincial projects earmarked for this year will not see the light of day, due to the national government’s decision.
