Don Polye: Key Initiatives That Will Clean Up the Government Finances Image and Boost Investor and People Confidence

 Treasurer Polye pointing out the key initiatives taken to improve accountability of Government Finances

 People must see in newspapers quarterly, and the Treasury website each month the details of the government expenditures and know exactly where their money is being used, Treasurer, Mr. Don Polye said upon his return from the successful 46^th Asian Development Bank annual board meeting.

With corruption being ripe in the country, majority of the people have lost confidence in the very government they voted into parliament. 

Lack of transparency and accountability in the handling of government finances in all levels of governmental systems has creating loopholes for our systems to be manipulated, distorting our democratic values, depriving and denying us of our basic human rights.

For the last 38 years of being an independent nation, Papua New Guinea knowingly allowed corruption to grow profusely, chronically impacting its social, economical and political structures-making the lives of its’ citizens difficult by limiting equitable participation in economic activities and wealth distribution. 

One possible solution for the government to earn confidence from the people is to be transparent in all its’ dealings. Treasure Polye has taken a leading role in ensuring that goal is achieved. “2013 is the year of implementation and O’Neal Government is doing a good job on their end. I am doing my part and the people must do their part”, the astute treasurer said. 

Key initiatives highlighted by the treasurer include;

• Publication of overall summary by agency type under the Recurrent and Development Budget

• Publication of the report that shows details of Personal Emoluments (wages) and Goods & Service by agency under the Recurrent and Development Budgets

• ·Publication of report that shows funds released by major government priority programs

The reports will be published in selected newspapers and treasury website (www.treasury.gov.pg). Pacific Business Review newspaper will be occasionally publishing updates as follow up to the main initiatives highlighted by the treasurer to keep the government and treasury department in check.