The East New Britain Provincial Government today endorsed it's 2025 Provincial Budget of K566, 705, 482. Provincial Member Michael Marum presented the budget appropriation Bill at a special Provincial Assembly, held in Kokopo this week, which received full approval from the house. The budget is comprised mainly of development funds worth over K308 million (54%) while recurrent is valued at almost K258m. The Provincial Headquarter holds over K290m; District Development Authorities cater for about K240m while LLGs comprise just over K36m. ENB Provincial Administrator Levi Mano said that they anticipate issues with the implementation of the budget. “This year's budget is slightly higher (additional of K30m) than last year's money plan and again includes unspent funds from previous years.” “From the report that I was given, last year we (ENBPA) achieved 53% implementation rate of the 2024 budget.” “This is an improvement compared to previous years, but it is still not enough," he said. Mr. Mano said the ENBPG and it's Administration has made some re-arrangement while seeking outside assistance on infrastructure development and sustainability, given the absence of the Gazelle Restoration Authority (GRA) in the province. “As a key infrastructure project listed in this year's budget, the Civic Center will be second priority, as Parliament House takes precedence.” “Our public service is currently under long term agreements with property owners so we will shift our focus to setting up the government seat first.” “Work has progressed on site at Vunabakut in Kokopo, and by end of this year, we should have some progress.” Currently the ENBPA spends over K5m in rental for the public service. Commenting on the budget, Gazelle MP and Minister for Fisheries Jelta Wong requested more assistance to wards in the acquittal of funds. Speaking on unused funds from former years, Minister Wong said that those funds should be used in areas that need funding, like in education, health and agriculture. Likewise, Pomio MP and Health Minister Elias Kapavore called for a more robust and fine tuned monitoring and evaluation arrangement, so to improve the province's accounting system. Rabaul MP Dr. Allan Marat emphasized on the need for consultation between senior public servants and the political heads, on projects and programs that would be captured in the budget. The Member for Kokopo Ereman ToBaining Junior echoed a call by the Pomio MP for the responsible sector in the ENBPA to fast track outstanding land matters. Kokopo City Mayor Phillip Tale called for more support to build ward community halls for the 300 plus wards of East New Britain, in order to strengthen governance at the ward level. Provincial Member Mr. Marum said that he has taken note of all comments made and assured the provincial government's support towards planned projects and programs in the districts. The 2025 approved Provincial Budget focuses on Infrastructure development with major projects and programs like district roads, bridges and an airstrip in Pomio District. This also includes the Provincial Government House and Civic Center, as well as infrastructure for the education and health sectors. Community empowerment programs initiated last year will be progressed under the Community Development Division and other relevant sectors of the ENBPA.