The landmark legislation, tabled by Minister for Provincial and Local-Level Government Affairs Soroi Marepo Eoe, was passed with broad bipartisan support, signaling a unified commitment to empowering local administrations across Papua New Guinea.

In his remarks, Prime Minister Marape described the bill as a “critical step” toward enhancing accountability and efficiency within local government structures. He highlighted that the amendments aim to raise leadership standards, prevent financial mismanagement, and ensure stronger oversight of community resources.

A Milestone for Good Governance and Community Leadership

Prime Minister Marape referred to the bill as a game-changer for local governance, underscoring its potential to improve leadership accountability, prevent financial mismanagement, and ensure closer supervision of local-level administration.

“This is a significant victory for the people of Papua New Guinea. For far too long, weak governance structures and mismanagement at the local level have impeded service delivery and development in our communities,” Prime Minister Marape stated.

“These amendments will ensure that local leaders are held accountable to the people they serve, that ward members have clearly defined responsibilities, and that the misuse of public funds is prevented through stricter financial regulations,” he added.

Key Reforms in the Bill

The Local-Level Government Administration (Amendment) Bill 2024 introduces several important reforms, including:

• Stronger Accountability for Ward Members: Section 11 has been amended to define additional roles and responsibilities for Ward Members (Councillors), ensuring greater accountability and transparency in community leadership.

• Higher Leadership Standards: Section 14 strengthens the qualifications for Local-Level Government (LLG) members, ensuring that only competent and capable leaders are elected to serve the people.

• Stricter Financial Oversight: Section 45 removes and bans Chairmen and Board Members of Local-Level Government Special Purpose Authorities (LLG SPAs) from acting as signatories to bank accounts, thus preventing potential misuse of funds. Section 50 grants the responsible Minister specific powers to take punitive action against LLG SPA Chairmen, Boards, and Management if they are found guilty of misusing public funds or abusing their authority.

A Step Toward Stronger Local Governance

Prime Minister Marape emphasized that these reforms align with the government’s broader vision of decentralizing power, strengthening sub-national governments, and ensuring that effective service delivery reaches every corner of Papua New Guinea.

“The National Government is committed to ensuring that local governments function efficiently and respond to the needs of the people,” the Prime Minister said.

“This bill equips us with the necessary tools to address governance challenges, improve service delivery, and restore public trust in local leadership. The people of Papua New Guinea deserve transparent, accountable, and effective leadership, and this legislation takes us one step closer to that goal.”

Call for Nationwide Support

Prime Minister Marape urged local leaders, ward councillors, and provincial governments to embrace these reforms and work together for their effective implementation.

“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 for the benefit of our people,” he said.

He also reaffirmed his government’s commitment to further strengthening governance structures and ensuring that Papua New Guinea continues to progress toward 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,” Prime Minister Marape concluded.

Source: Post Courier Online News

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