PRIME Minister James Marape has welcomed Parliament’s passage of the Local-Level Government Administration (Amendment) Bill 2024, describing it as a critical step towards strengthening governance, accountability, and service delivery at the community level.
The bill, introduced by the Minister for Provincial and Local-Level Government Affairs, Hon. Soroi Marepo Eoe, was passed yesterday with strong bipartisan support, reflecting the government’s commitment to empowering local governments, improving leadership standards, and ensuring better management of community resources.
PM Marape hailed the amendments as a game-changer for local governance, saying they will improve leadership accountability, prevent financial mismanagement, and ensure greater oversight over local-level administration.
“This is a significant victory for the people of Papua New Guinea. For too long, weak governance structures and mismanagement at the local level have hindered service delivery and development in our communities,” the Prime Minister said.
“These amendments will ensure that local leaders are more accountable to the people they serve, ward members have clearly defined responsibilities, and misuse of public funds is prevented through stricter financial regulations,” he added.
The Local-Level Government Administration (Amendment) Bill 2024 introduces several key reforms, including: stronger accountability for ward members; higher leadership standards; stricter financial oversight; and Section 50 grants the responsible Minister specific powers to take punitive action against LLG SPA Chairmen, Boards, and Management if they are found to be misusing public funds or abusing their authority.
PM Marape emphasised that these reforms align with the government’s broader vision of decentralising power, strengthening sub-national governments, and ensuring effective service delivery to the grassroots level.
“The National Government is committed to ensuring that local governments function effectively and are responsive to the needs of the people,” the Prime Minister said.
“This bill gives us the tools to address governance breakdowns, improve service delivery, and restore public trust in local leaders. The people deserve transparent, accountable, and effective leadership, and this legislation moves us closer to that goal.”
PM Marape urged local leaders, ward councillors, and provincial governments to embrace the reforms and work together to implement them effectively.
“This law is only as strong as our collective commitment to upholding it. I call on all levels of government and community leaders to take this legislation seriously and ensure that it is enforced effectively for the benefit of our people,” he said.
The Prime Minister also reaffirmed his government’s commitment to further strengthening governance structures and ensuring that Papua New Guinea continues to progress towards stronger, more accountable leadership at all levels.
“The passage of this bill is a win for the people. It is a win for good governance. It is a win for the future of Papua New Guinea,” PM Marape concluded.