this will be the biggest waste of money in Norwegian history... this will be the biggest waste of money in Norwegian history...Maybe. This could be a calculated move to deflect criticism for being an oil exporter. If the billion is a one-time donation then that could be a cheap means of gaining Norway its good world citizen gold star.
Politicians may be ideologues but they are also a cynical lot.
Spending billions on deep sub-sea road tunnels to tiny islands with populations in the hundreds must run it close. But hey, Norway has billions to burn so let them burn away...