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.
Of the K180 million, K156 was for the LLG elections and the balance is for the five by-elections.
On the LLG elections, many people have raised questions about its importance and effectiveness.
It is evident that the LLG system currently in use is outdated and does not contribute much to the overall ward development plans.
It may have been effective and appropriate during the pre-Independence era because the local level government system was the only form of government in operation since the 1950's and well known and appreciated by the people. At Independence, the council system was never quite abolished, but the provincial government system and the local level government were introduced on top of it.
The presumption was that the LLG would take over the council system but for a time many jurisdictions the two systems ran alongside each other.
The 1995 provincial government reforms finally gave the LLG tooth and some financial autonomy.
Yet despite the intent of the reforms and increased funding, the delivery of goods and services has remained negligible.
The LLG system has become another hungry idle monster gnawing away taxpayers' money.
Over the years, Government spending as increased, but its ability to reach the people in the rural areas has decreased.
The Organic Law on Provincial and Local Level Governments (OLPLLG)1995, created a three- tired system of government in the country.
The provincial and LLG levels required to carry out service delivery functions and make local laws based on the powers devolved to them by the OLPLLG.
Funding for services should, in theory, pass smoothly through all the three tiers of government - national, provincial and local level.
Each tier has responsibilities and programs that must be funded so each level provides its own opportunities for diversion of funds and for mismanagement of the funs.
The introduction of the District Development Authority (DDA) Act 2014 further displaced and isolated the role of LLGs.
The introduction of the act was the third comprehensive reform on decentralization and subnational government in PNG.
Unlike former reforms, the DDA arrangement is directly funding the districts, which is intended to bypass much of the bureaucratic red tape.
In the process, its operation often also bypass the Public Finance Management Act and Auditor General Act, particularly because of the lack of capacity of the Auditor General and the Finance Department to reach out to all district.
Even after the introduction of the District Development Authority Act, service delivery has been poor in most parts of the country, and this problem has been compounded by the current socio-economic slump.
Service delivery is hindered by the lack of capacity in the districts and LLGs.
Although it can be argued that this situation could improve with increased funding, structural and compliances issues far outweigh mere monetary allocations.
The composition and influence of the DDA board potentially denies people's stake in the decision-making processes.
The LLG presidents, for example, represents their people and constituency at the board level, yet the board is primarily influenced by the Member of Parliament.
It is evident that the implementation of the DDA Act is below par with respect to the successful conditions needed for an effective decentralization policy.
Amendments to the act must also be applied sooner rather than later to help in the implementation process to ensure the concerned stakeholders understand their roles.
Appropriate training must be given to district officers especially district administrators or chief executive officers to the board and district finance officers to ensure they do their jobs diligently and in harmony with the the set guidelines, such as the Public Finance Management Act 2016.
Therefore, the LG system, which acts as an extension of the Government directly to the people on the ground, needs to be reviewed and transformed to become more effective.
Parliament's recent passage of the LLG Administration (Amendment) Bill 2024 is welcoming news as it would empower LLGs to improve leadership standards, and ensure better management of community resources.
But this can only be a win for the third tier of government it strict measures are adhered to.