The National Government through the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS) has released a SB$16.1 million Provincial Capacity Development Funding for Provincial Governments that are qualified for the funding.
Eight Provincial Governments with the exception of Malaita Province have qualified for the funding after meeting requirements set out in the Performance Criteria this year.
The funding enables provincial governments to implement their approved projects for 2013 to 2014.
Overall a total of SB$27.7 million has been allocated for disbursement to provincial governments in the 2013-14 fiscal years.
In addition to the PCD funds allocated by the project Board of Provincial Governance Strengthening Programme, the Provincial Governments also contribute 5% of the total in order to help them take ownership of their projects.
The release of the first tranche was slightly delayed this year as a result of the new requisition and payment procedures introduced by the government.
In view of that, the Ministry of Provincial Government has, however, worked closely with the Ministry of Development Planning and Aid Coordination (MDPAC) and the Ministry of Finance and Treasury to ensure the documentations required for the release of funds were properly completed.
Since 2008 to date, provincial governments have so far completed about 500 projects (95% completed). With the release of funds by the Ministry of Finance, Provincial Governments will now commence implementing 164 new projects for 2013-14.
In addition to the new projects, 27 existing projects brought forward with funding from last year are also being implemented.
All planning processes and procurements of these high quality projects are undertaken by the Planning Divisions of the Provincial Governments using the adapted National Government procurement procedures.
Ongoing capacity building by advisors of the Provincial Governance Strengthening Programme (PGSP) is reinforcing the capacities of provincial governments in public expenditure management systems including planning and procurement.
All nine provinces have advisors on the ground that is carrying out on the job training and capacity building for Planning and Treasury divisions.
Source: Press Release, Government Communications Unit