The National | Jesher Tilto | April 2, 2025
All MPs yet to submit their acquittals for the 2024 service improvement program (SIP)funds to the Department of Implementation and Rural Development (DIRD) can still do so, an official says.
Acting Secretary Aihi Vaki said despite the directive from Ombudsman Commission (OC) for all MPs to submit their required acquittals by March 31, his department would still accept them.
Vaki said the DIRD and OC had different roles and responsibilities.
The National | March 26, 2025
Department of Implementation and Rural Development (DIRD) was unable to inspect projects implemented in districts and provinces through service improvement funds in the last 10 years, its acting secretary has revealed.
The National | 26 March, 2025
In fewer than 30 days, the country's local level government (LLG) elections will be conducted.
The long awaited elections, including that of Motu-Koita Assembly, are expected to run concurrently with the issue of writs scheduled for April 24.
Administrative Services Minister Richard Masere told Parliament on Friday that the Electoral Commission has been allocated K180 million to conduct five national by elections and the nationwide LLG elections.
Wantok Nuispepa | Mas 20-26 , 2025
Pot Mosbi, Papua Niugini: Ripot bilong New Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) em Transparency International i bin putimaut long 11 Februeri 2025, i soim ples klia olsem Papua Niugini i no inap kontrolim korapsen. Ripot i tok PNG i gat ‘bikpela sans long korapsen i kamap’ na ‘i soim olsem em i no inap kontrolim korapsen’. PNG i gat nem nogut tru long Pacific rijon, na em i stap namba 127 long 180 kantri long wol.
The National | Letters to the Editor| March 19, 2025
The Provincial Service Improvement Program (PSIP) and the District Service Improvement Program (DSIP) represents substantial investments in the development of Papua New Guinea's districts and provinces.
These funds, intended to uplift communities and drive progress are drawn from the public purse, making their transparent and accountable use paramount. However, a critical gap exists in the current system: The lack of public access to PSIP and DSIP acquittals.
Post Courier | Editorial | March 12 2025
Catholic Church Archbishop Sir John Ribat dropped a bombshell yesterday.
He took corruption by politicians and public servants head-on.
But it appears the people that were targeted - the politicians who run the country - did not flinch at Sir John's suggestion that police should be given special powers to arrest MPs who are found to be corrupt while serving in public office.
They went about business as usual. They seem to have developed thick-skin immunity to the corruption octopus.
Cathy Tukne
Transparency and accountability are fundamental to effective governance, especially in the management of public funds. In Papua New Guinea, District Development Authorities (DDAs) play a critical role in delivering essential services and infrastructure to districts. However, concerns over mismanagement and declining service quality have prompted the launch of the DDA Watch website by ACT NOW!
Post Courier | Editorial | 3rd March 2025
We have 108 members of parliament. There are 22 provincial members and the rest are Open members and the Prime Minister heads the executive government, which comprises 37 members.
Cathy Tukne
New Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) figures, released on 11 February 2025 by Transparency International, highlight Papua New Guinea’s failure to deal with widespread corruption. PNG is classified as having a ‘high perceived risk of corruption’ with ‘no meaningful progress’ in anti-corruption efforts. PNG is the worst ranked country in the Pacific region and ranks 127th out of 180 countries globally.
The National |11 February, 2025
THE Ombudsman Commission has warned provincial administrators, provincial administration workers, chief executive officers and employees of district development authorities that it is illegal to operate outside their designated locations.
A statement from Chief Ombudsman Richard Pagen, Ombudsman Tabitha Suwae, and acting Ombudsman Kevin Kepore said: “Operating outside the designated location is improper as there are legally defined administrative boundaries within which these public servants must serve.
ACT NOW!
The 2025 National Government budget has seen an increased of budget allocation for district support improvement program (DSIP).
This is despite the fact that DDAs are lacking transparency and accountability in their operations and expenditure.
ACT NOW! analysis has shown that there is lack of DDA contact details, DDAs lack proper development plans and bad records of acquitting funds.
Source: Post Courier November 29th 2024
The 2024 National Budget Lockup today allocated a significant K960 million to the District Services Improvement Program (DSIP), marking a substantial increase in funding for district development.
This allocation will provide K10 million to each of 96 districts in the country.
National Planning and Monitoring Secretary, Mr. Koney Samuel, highlighted that the government is committed to further expanding district development funds with the addition six new districts will be coming up.
Source: Post Courier | By Scholar Kassas | November 29, 2024
The 2024 National Budget Lockup today allocated a significant K960 million to the District Services Improvement Program (DSIP), marking a substantial increase in funding for district development.
This allocation will provide K10 million to each of 96 districts in the country.
National Planning and Monitoring Secretary, Mr. Koney Samuel, highlighted that the government is committed to further expanding district development funds, with the addition of six new districts will be coming up.
Wantok Nuispepa | Novemba 21-27, 2024 |Pg 9
Wanpela wok painim bilo komuniti edvokesi grup ACT NOW i sowim planti bilong ol Distrik Divelopmen Atoriti (DDA) long Papua Niugini i popaia long putim aut ol kontek infomesen bio ol ples klia. Dispela i pasin gutpela gavaens wok, akauntabiliti, na sevis i go ol ples.
Cathy Tukne | Act Now! PNG
A concerning analysis by ACT NOW has revealed that almost all District Development Authorities (DDAs) in Papua New Guinea are failing to make crucial contact information available, hindering governance, accountability, and service delivery.
Despite each District receiving K20 million annually for service and infrastructure improvements, as of July 2024, the analysis reveals most DDA’s do not have a named Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and lack an email address, postal address and phone number or website.