Prime Minister and Treasurer James Marape had revealed that the National Treasury has approved K519.8 million budgets for East New Britain Province this week. Governor Marum and his administrators submitted the budget last Friday, 02nd February 2024 and the budget was approved on Monday 05 February 2024, by Prime Minister Marape as Minister for Treasury, pursuant to Section 141 of the Organic Law on Provincial and Local Level Government. The budget totals K519, 816,185 with the highest allocation to Infrastructure development at nearly 38 percent of the budget. The general break-up into areas is as follows: Infrastructure – K196.8 million (37.8%), Education – K152.9 million (29.4%), Economic – K52.7 million (10.1%), Administration – K51.9 million (9.9%), Health – K33.5 million (K6.4%), and Social and Law & Order – K33.8 million (6.1%). Out of these, the provincial government will work with K274 million, District Development Authority will handle K206.8 million, and Local Level Governments, K38.8 million. National Government grants total K196,832,600 broken into Operational – K146.8 million and the Capital –of K50 million with the rolled over from the previous years is K12.3 million. Internal Revenue stands at K65 million. Prime Minister Marape commended the provincial government for raising its internal revenue and for maintaining its standard in service delivery. “I commend Governor Michael Marum and his provincial administration for submitting their budget, for working hard to raise their internal revenue and for maintaining East New Britain’s standard in service delivery.” “The National Government looks forward to working with them to expand more development throughout the province.” Marape also highlighted that the government will develop Tokua airport precinct and include a four-lane road to Kokopo, upgrade Kokopo-Rabaul highway and rename it Namaliu Highway in honor of late former prime minister. “We will also upgrade Pomio road, complete the east-west New Britain highway, upgrade the provincial hospital, and develop the East New Britain Special Economic Zone,” said PM Marape.