People of the Oro Province can now look forward to better services in the future after Governor Garry Juffa revealed that the 2024 budget is focused on restructuring public services to improve service and delivery and sustainable development for the province. The Oro Provincial Government is reported to have presented its annual budget on Wednesday 14th February at the Prime Minister’s Office at the National Parliament in Waigani. Oro Governor Gary Juffa and his team consisted of members of the Provincial Executive Council, Assembly and the Provincial Administration, announced that the budget would prioritize Law and Order, Health, Education, Infrastructure and community-based programs among other fundamental sectors. “This year we have a budget this year of K168 Million, which captures all fundamental sectors including our internal revenue and infrastructure, with a special focus on revenue making agencies and infrastructure.” Governor Juffa stated that the provincial budget 2024 has been framed with the intent of capturing this government’s vision that all citizens must have access to basic services and that no one is left behind. “Our budget will prioritize investments in these critical areas, with a focus on improving healthcare facilities, enhancing educational resources, and strengthening law enforcement to ensure the safety and security of our communities.” Mr. Juffa highlighted that the achievement of sustainable development would only be made possible through prioritizing the health and education sectors. He mentioned that their budget directs substantial funds towards improving healthcare infrastructure, equipping hospitals with state-of-the-art facilities, ensuring accessibility to quality healthcare services even in remote areas. “This year we will also be focusing on vigorously carrying out our reforms within the provincial administration. I am taking this task on as the chairman of the Special Parliamentary Committee on Public Sector Reform. This will allow us ensure our public servants receive better benefits.” “Heath care, housing, continuous training to add value to service delivery. By doing this we will ensure that our public servants remain committed and dedicated to their duties. They will be loyal to an organization that is loyal to them, “he said. The governor was grateful for the government’s support of his province as they have finally received their outstanding shares from the oil palm industry in Oro that have been withheld for decades and says that these funds have allowed the people of Oro to build their new Provincial Assembly building that is worth K14 million, which is also factored in this year’s budget. “All that we have requested for from this government has been given to us. It may come in small amounts but we do eventually receive what has been promised to us.” “I would like to take this opportunity to thank you prime minister for being dedicated to the parliamentary committees, specifically the Special Parliamentary Committee on Public Sector Reform and Service Delivery of which I am chairman of. Under this committee we have facilitated the much-needed Public Service Payroll review that was handed to the government last year, “he said. Prime Minister James Marape whilst receiving the budget from Governor Juffa and his team, said that he was particularly pleased with the efforts of Oro province in preserving the Managalas Plateau as a conservation area, saying that this was ground-breaking for our nation. “It has emphasized our efforts of fighting climate change and preserving one the biggest largest remaining rainforests in the world and encourages sustainable development practices and ensures that our people benefit perpetually, instead of one-off projects that ultimately destroy our natural environment.” “Besides this, you have other world-renowned tourists’ destinations such as Tufi, and the Kokoda Trial in which we will be assisting with K5 million and I am glad to see that the Divune Hydro Dam is now fully operational and currently serving our good people of Oro.” Marape pledged his continued support for Governor Juffa because of his ability to address national matters and his determination to bring development and change to Oro Province. Additionally, the Prime Minister spoke of the need to turn The University of Natural Resources and Environment campus in Oro into a fully-fledged college. Meanwhile, Governor Juffa has called upon all stakeholders, including the public servants, private sector partners, and the people of Oro, to join hands in the spirit of unity and collaboration and work towards achieving their shared vision for a better, brighter future for their beloved province. “The 2024 Oro Provincial Government Budget reflects our unwavering commitment to building a prosperous and inclusive future for our province.” “As we move forward, we will remain steadfast in our determination to implement prudent fiscal policies, drive meaningful public sector reforms, enhance service delivery, and invest in strategic infrastructure development.”