THE Department of Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs (DPLGA) is working on a new structure to strengthen the social contract between the State and the people through the sub-national governments, says DPLGA Secretary Mr. Philip Leo.
In a statement today, Secretary Leo says an officer each will be reassigned from the headquarter to 20 provinces throughout the country under this new structure, once completed.
“These officers will be on the ground providing technical support and ensuring that systems are functioning as intended,” the Secretary said.
“Their responsibilities will include monitoring the regularity of LLG and provincial meetings and ensuring that leaders and public servants fulfil their obligations,” Mr. Leo added.
He reminded the Provincial governments, district development authorities and their business arms to report through the established channels.
“Transparent reporting and adherence to legal requirements are important to effectively deliver essential services to our people.
“My department will be closely monitoring compliance to ensure these requirements are met,” Mr. Leo said.
The DPLGA is taking this approach to ensure the leaders and senior public servants at the sub-national government level comply with section 187A of the Constitution, the Organic Law on the Provincial and Local Level Governments, District Development Authority Act, the City Authority Act and the Local Level Government Act that forms the framework of the sub-national governments.
Secretary Leo said he has emphasized on these when he convened a meeting for Maip-Mulitaka LLG in Enga Province on February 27, 2025, which he discovered to his dismay as the first meeting after the 2019-20 LLG elections, following reports and complaints from across the country of “substantial gap in governance and representation” at the sub-national government level between the people and the State.
He said the failure of the Maip-Mulitaka LLG to conduct its regular meetings since then is a case in point of “systemic issue” across the country that holds people at bay from the State.
Mr. Leo said it was equally disappointing to observe from these reports about the frequent absence of leaders and public servants from their designated locations.
“This prolonged neglect by the leaders of the third-tier governments, who are constitutionally entrusted with legislative duties, is an issue that can no longer be ignored,” he said.
Secretary Leo pointed out that sections 53-55 of the OLPLLG nullified by the Supreme Court does not impact on their mandate to hold all levels of governments accountable for their actions.
“They must operate within their legal framework. The Constitution and the enabling legislations are in place to promote good governance and we will ensure their proper implementation,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, Mr. Leo revealed that the department is reviewing provincial governments and LLG assemblies’ Standing Orders to further strengthen the governance mechanism.
He said this review aims at enhancing clarity and enforceability to ensure the sub-national governments function effectively in serving our people.
Stressing on the crucial role of the leaders and the public servants at the sub-national level in the welfare and development of the communities, the DPLGA secretary challenged them to step up to their responsibilities, come the country’s 50th Independence Anniversary on September 16, 2025 and in the years to come.