WP Tables $45.8M “Balanced Budget” for 2026/2027
By ULUTAH GINA
Solomon Star, Gizo
Western Province has tabled a balanced budget of $45,818,725 for the 2026/2027 financial year.
Provincial Finance Minister Ronnie Ghemu presented the budget before the Western Provincial Assembly in Gizo on Monday, highlighting a focus on responsible fiscal management, transparency, and accountability.
Total recurrent revenue is projected at $23,885,812, with $13,043,703 from internal sources and $10,842,109 from external support. The SIG Fixed Service Grant remains the main revenue source at $9,323,684, alongside $974,953 allocated for Ward Supervising Officers’ salaries.
Mr Ghemu said projections are conservative due to the expiry of the valuation roll and declining logging activities.
Major external funding includes PCDF ($11.9M), LoCAL Climate Program ($4.7M), World Bank IEDCR ($3.5M), and UNDP PGSD ($1.9M). A total of $3.54M is allocated for Ward Development Grants across 26 wards.
Key priority sectors include infrastructure, rural health services, agriculture and fisheries, climate resilience, and ICT.
Mr Ghemu said the budget aims to improve livelihoods across communities.
“This budget is not merely about numbers. It is about people,” he said.
//end//
Caption
Provincial Finance Minister Hon. Ronnie Ghemu
