Prime Minister James Marape has announced that the Medium Term Development Plan No.4 and a full census will be conducted next year.
This is following questions raised by Alotau MP, Ricky Morris on clarification of the 4th Medium Term Development plan and the when the census would commence.
The Prime Minister announced that they have budgeted K50million for the census to start for which he urged the whole country should participate in.
PM Marape commended both the Minister and Vice Minister for National Planning on their efforts in putting together the MTDP #4.
“They worked to ensure that this plan is a document that is real, achievable and workable for all of us who will have a stake in this to make better delivery of services to the people.”
He stated that having said this, it does not hinder the districts or provinces to tailor their plans for 2023 or activity plans for 2023 whilst awaiting MTDP #4 to be mounted.
The Prime Minister further outlined 5 key aspects of development that they would like to better. This includes;
1. Developing better infrastructure
2. Developing the Health Sector
3. Education
4. Economic Growth
5. Law & Order
Marape said these core focuses will receive the utmost attention of the National Government, but reiterated that the National plans will have the element of flexibility, meaning they can be localized to suit local situations across the country.
“The Final Plan of MTDP #4 will be launched on the 7th of July.”
“All of you will be invited to participate in the launch that enables the framework that intends to pursue all the National Governments focusses for the next 4-5 years.”
The Government is currently undergoing a review of what has transpired over the last three MTDP’s in which a parliamentary leadership team will be established to look into.
Marape also invited members of the opposition to take part in this undertaking.
“This is to jointly review how the country has fared so far in the Development aspirations of this government and the previous governments by looking into the Human Development Index.”