By WASITA ROYAL
A provincial induction program has revealed a critical gap in East New Britain’s local governance.
The induction found that only two of its 23 Local Level Governments (LLGs) have formally endorsed Standing Orders to guide assembly proceedings.
The discovery was made during a mock exercise on the second day of an induction for Kokopo district LLG leaders, pointing out a widespread need for procedural compliance across the province.
The two LLGs with Standing Orders are Rabaul Urban (Rabaul district) and Raluana (Kokopo district).
During his presentation, Deputy Kokopo District Administrator Thomas Monep stressed the rules, captured under the LLG Administration Act of 1997 which are essential for certifying meeting minutes and resolutions by the Minister for Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs.
He noted that a department can be adopted and later reviewed with the provincial administration’s legal unit.
A practical demonstration was led by the Raluana LLG President and council as Raluana being the only LLG in the province where the president was retained in the 2025 elections.
Following this, attendees raised concerns about the capacity of LLG Managers, who as Chief Executive Officers, must be well-versed in these procedures to properly advise their political heads.
The week-long induction at Malapau Beach Resort involved leaders, managers, ward members, recorders, and ward development committee members from all 84 wards across Kokopo district’s four LLGs.
As this program nears its end on Friday, preparations are ongoing for the remaining districts.
Provincial Headquarters is compiling daily presentations and handouts, with a technical team working to finalize materials.
The focus now shifts to the upcoming inductions.
Pomio district is going to be the last with its program scheduled for 02-06 February at Palmalmal.
A district official confirmed East Pomio is preparing, acknowledging PHQ’s ongoing technical work.
This sequence confirms Kokopo has begun the provincial rollout of inductions, which will continue through Rabaul and Gazelle before concluding in Pomio.