11.12.2024
Parliament's Christmas gift money spread across Northern Ostrobothnia
On Wednesday, 11 December, the Finance Committee decided on the targets for so-called Parliament's Christmas gift money. The municipalities of Northern Ostrobothnia will receive a total of approximately EUR 3 million in Christmas gift money, most of which will be allocated to transport projects.
Among the road projects that have received funding is the Salonpää underpass in Varjakka, Oulunsalo. Other road projects can also be implemented thanks to the allocation funds, such as the Jokiniihour light traffic route in Alavieska.
“Transport projects are the most presented as Christmas gift money projects, and their funding is thus the most competitive nationwide. We can be satisfied with the funding received for the region, for which we thank our regional parliamentarians", says Regional Director Jussi Rämet and continues:
“There is still work to be done to fund large infrastructure projects in Northern Ostrobothnia. The national Transport 12 plan and the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency’s annual investment programme are a channel through which major transport projects can be mobilised and financed from the state budget.’
Comprehensive funding at regional and sectoral level
The Finance Committee also granted Christmas gift money to Northern Ostrobothnia for non-transport projects. Environmental projects in particular are highlighted among them.
“We are also pleased that a wide range of projects received funding. The Committee's decision also appears to be regionally balanced. Funding will come not only for projects in the Oulu and Oulu region, but across the region", Jussi Rämet points out.
For example, the municipalities of Siikajoki, Pyhänä and Siikalatva received 110,000 euros for the restoration of Siikajoki. The project consists of dismantling the Pöyry dam and power plant in Siikajoki and planning the restoration and implementation of the rapids in the area. The project will allow the breeding of migratory fish in an area of 631 km. It also improves the ecological status and vitality of the river basin.
Municipalities were involved in the preparation
Parliament distributes Christmas gift money, i.e. funds released from the budget, annually. This year, EUR 30 million was allocated to transport projects and EUR 20 million to other administrative sectors.
This year, for the first time, the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia collected project proposals from municipalities for all administrative sectors. The proposals have also been presented at a meeting of representatives of the Oulu constituency.
“The listing of the needs of municipalities and other actors in the region, now made available to decision-makers, proved to be a good practice. We should continue along this path in the coming years", Jussi Rämet says.
All projects receiving Christmas gift money can be found in vthe report of the Committee on Finance, finalised on Wednesday 11 December 2024.
