Letter from the Department of Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs

By Prof Joseph Sukwianomb

It was a small but significant crowd of like-minded and passionate citizens, ordinary civil servants and their superiors who turned up to give an undivided support to the Secretary for Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs, Philip Leo and Minister Soroi Marepo Eoe.

Their presence was further complemented by an equally strong team from the Department of Personal Management, with Minister Joe Sungi and Secretary Taies Sansan.

In the midst to witness the event were two ward members from the Kikori District, Paul Poku Mahiro (Ward 3 in the Ihu Local Level Government) and Henry Haro Levo (Ward 2 in the Ihu LLG).

When asked, Mahiro and Levo expressed gratitude to the Government for taking the long-waited initiative but with Minister Marepo and Secretary Leo being at the helm, they are confident of this project of recognising, equipping and empowering the elected representatives of the third-tier government being entrenched, the people centered government at the grassroots level is uplifted to its rightful constitutional place in our system of Government.

Sitting in between the rows of chairs in the crowd were the PNG’s veteran public sector reformists and activists; these were Steven Ilave, Clant Alok and Joseph Sukwianomb. They were invited because of their unwavering support reform work in the public sector domain; improved and sustained good governance.

The presence of the above-mentioned three gentlemen together with Secretary Philip Leo may very well bring back the memories of the days of the once powerful reformist agenda carried by them and their colleagues in a scheme of public sector reforms created by the Morauta Government, who went on to establish the now abolished Public Sector Reform Management Unit in the Department of the Prime Minister and National Executive Council.

On this day, March 5, 2024, Sungi and Marepo spearheaded a national effort; really ushering in a dawn of a new era in the development and participation of people, acting with and through elected local leadership across seven thousand wards throughout PNG, including the autonomous region of Bougainville.

The project traces its roots to a National Executive Council decision of No: 322 of 2021, where it was decided that ward members will be paid a fortnightly salary direct from the national government’s annual budget allocations. It is estimated that some K2.5 million will be paid every fortnight to some 7000 persons, thus creating an instant cash flowing into the rural economy an amount of some K65million annually.

What does this low-keyed event mean for people and their representation? Emphasizing the importance of focusing on their own affairs in ward development is crucial for those who truly make a difference.

Therefore, today’s landmark event is a simply gesture of recognition, all thanks to the tireless leaders of standing.
Over the years, national Governments have played lip services to the majority of our rural populations since independence. About 80 per cent of our people have been without voice, whilst politicians have played havoc on our collective psyche. But today’s event marks the beginning of, and a turning point for consolidation of people’s political power. It sets the basis for a four-person team in place-consisting of: – 1) and elected member, 2) a peace officer, 3) a magistrate and; 4) a wards recorder. With the official and inclusion of ward member into the Government payroll, Secretary Leo will now work on bringing the ward recorder onto the payroll as well in due course!

The next logical question to be considered, if there were hints from the two ministers’ statements, then it required that work has to be commenced on developing the minimum qualifications framework for the four identified positions, but starting with the ward member first.

Meanwhile, after this celebrated event, a small team was in discussions on a possible national orientation programme to be mounted for the ward members and their team of three to be arranged by Secretary for DPLLGA. It will be rolled out soon after the conclusions of the elections of the Ward Members; this is the first thought that came to mind.