April 4, 2022
THE Ward Development Grants (funding support) from the Morobe Provincial Government (MPG) is seeing an unprecedented growth for projects at village level across Morobe Province.
This is the vision of Morobe Governor Ginson Saonu, a former councilor himself, who saw the gap of strengthening the work of the councilors in Morobe Province.
Governor Saonu through his Provincial Executive Council (PEC) back in 2019 decided to empower all 600 plus Wards in Morobe Province and so approved funding allocation of K5000 each to all Wards in the 2020 Morobe Provincial Budget.
Then in 2021, a further K5000 was allocated and now, small, yet significant projects are being implemented as a result of this funding support.
“The National Government gave birth to this child (Ward Council) but it did not put on clothes to this child. We are putting on clothes to all Ward Councils in Morobe Province,” said Saonu.
Governor Saonu was implying that all Ward Councils in Morobe Province had not received any funding support from the National Government level and so his government (Provincial Government) decided to move funds back down to the village level.
“All these funds have to be used on development projects in all respective wards and financial acquittals must be presented to MPG before new funds are being distributed,” he said.
Councilor of Sape Ward 16 of Komba LLG of Kabwum District said a semi-permanent classroom for a primary school in his area was built with the development grant of 2021.
“This is the first time I have received funding support from the Provincial Government and I am very optimistic that with this year’s funding allocation I will build another school infrastructure for my people,” he said.
Ward 7 Councilor Simeon Jacob of Nanima-Karima LLG of Menyamya District shared similar sentiments and added that he has supported with several church infrastructures for his ward area.
In 2021, Ward 9 councilor Yaeng Tahu of Labuta LLG in Nawaeb District purchased solar lights and roofing iron sheets to build his ward office.
“The projects are already in use,” he said.
For this year, 2022, a budget of K2, 825, 000 from the Morobe Provincial Budget had been allocated for the same program to be delivered for all wards in Morobe Province.
