BY SAMIE WAIKORI
The Temotu provincial assembly last week passed a budget of $19,723,102.56 during its provincial full assembly meeting.
The overall budget comprises a recurrent budget of $6,868,704.02 and a capital development budget of $12,723,102.55.
Minister for Finance and Treasury, Michael Mapolu, outlined the key objectives of the budget as follow;
- Strengthening governance structures and sector performance, ensuring improved and high-quality provincial service delivery
- Sustaining food security, boosting local production, and expanding commercial opportunities within the province
- Increasing access to essential services such as health and education for local communities
- Enhancing infrastructure to support economic growth and create job opportunities
- Maintaining peace, harmony, and social order across all communities
- Promoting sustainable use of environmental resources to support long-term development in Temotu
Minister Mapolu emphasised that the budget’s primary objective is to achieve a 90 percent output rate by the end of the fiscal year.
He said the budget will also provide resources to implement planned activities and development projects, including those carried forward from the previous financial year.
Mapolu acknowledged that projected revenues, particularly from local sources, may not always fully materialise, which could impact the financing of all planned activities.
“The vision of the provincial government is to ensure that public goods and services are visible and accessible to our villages, regardless of geographical challenges.
“This will be achieved through strict management of our limited financial resources,” Mapolu said.
He further stated that the current government aims to enhance the province’s public image by achieving an outstanding audit report during its tenure.
To accomplish this, the Tehiahua-led government will:
- Implement and support the Provincial Revenue Mobilisation Strategy
- Introduce a cash flow management strategy
- Enforce strict adherence to procurement and contract administration procedures
- Apply austerity and prudential financial measures, ensuring divisions control expenditures and reduce consumption costs.
Minister Mapolu expressed confidence that, with the cooperation of the provincial assembly and the people of Temotu, the objectives of the 2026 budget will be successfully achieved.
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