Central passes K364.9 million supplementary budget

The Central Provincial Government has passed a K364.9 million supplementary budget for the 2026 fiscal year.

The revised appropriation increases the province’s budget by K19.6 million, from the original K345.3 million to K364.9 million.

The supplementary budget was passed on Tuesday following the recent National Government supplementary budget, which undertook significant reprioritization in response to fuel price pressures, the El Niño response, preparations for the 2027 National General Election and additional security requirements.

Central Governor and Chairperson for Finance and Planning Rufina Peter, while presenting the revised budget, said the supplementary budget would respond to the province’s immediate fiscal position and begin repositioning the province towards a stronger and more sustainable financial base.

“The supplementary budget therefore will do two things, firstly respond to the immediate 2026 fiscal position and secondly begins repositioning the province towards a stronger and more sustainable fiscal base,” Governor Peter said.

The revised budget includes provisions for PNG LNG royalties, PNG LNG development levies, El Niño response, infrastructure grants, Provincial Assembly maintenance and the Papua LNG development forum process.

Governor Peter said the supplementary budget must also serve as a bridge into the province’s 2027 budget, linking the immediate fiscal requirements with the province’s longer-term development priorities.

The passage of the supplementary budget gives the Central Provincial Government a revised financial framework to manage its remaining 2026 commitments while preparing its priorities and fiscal position for the 2027 financial year.