By DALCY LULUA
Prime Minister James Marape says no State agency should bypass provincial or district authorities when carrying out development work, stressing that proper communication and coordination must be followed at all times.
Speaking in response to concerns raised in Parliament, Mr Marape said any government agency intending to undertake projects in provinces or districts must formally notify and work with the relevant authorities.
“No state agency should bypass provinces or districts. If work is to happen, there must be formal advice given to both the district and the province,” he said.
He stressed the Government had a clear policy requiring national agencies to ensure projects are properly registered and supported at the local level.
“This ensures projects are complemented, whether through kina-for-kina arrangements or proper registry and support from the district or province concerned,” Mr Marape said.
The Prime Minister also assured Parliament that a formal investigation would be conducted into the matter raised, with a full report to be provided in writing to the concerned Member of Parliament before a further response is delivered.
The issue was raised by Wewak MP Stanley Muts Samban, who questioned the actions of the Cocoa Board of Papua New Guinea in engaging a contractor to work on the Wewak–Yawika Road without the knowledge or consent of the Wewak District Development Authority (DDA).
Mr Samban said the Wewak DDA had already allocated K500,000 last year for the same road project, yet a contractor was allegedly engaged separately and continues to work on the road without coordination.
He claimed that Cocoa Board had reportedly allocated close to K4 million to the same contractor for work on the same road, raising concerns about duplication and lack of transparency.
“This is work on top of work,” Mr Samban said, questioning why the DDA was not consulted despite being responsible for development in the district.
He called for a thorough investigation into the processes followed by the Cocoa Board in awarding the contract, including whether proper procedures and approvals were obtained.
Mr Samban also stressed the importance of engaging landowners before undertaking any development project.
“When work is to be carried out in the bush, along rivers, in the mountains, at sea or on islands, there are landowners who must be consulted first. You cannot just move in and start work,” he said.
He further questioned whether the Minister for Agriculture was aware of the contract and whether the Cocoa Board was operating transparently or engaging in questionable practices.
The Prime Minister’s assurance of an investigation comes amid growing concerns over coordination, accountability, and transparency in the implementation of government-funded projects.