By GABRIEL FITO
MORE than 650 councillors from 26 local level governments (LLGs) in East Sepik have threatened to boycott their elections this year if the provincial government fails to settle their outstanding allowances and entitlements.
Two councillors claiming to be their spokesmen said they had not been paid the money since 1997.
Prior to 1997, they were to be paid K100, they claimed.
They said that after that it was doubled by the Salaries and Remunerations Commission (SRC).
Councillors Emil Gambrow and Mathew Patiken from the Gavien resettlement scheme in Angoram told The National that it was unfair of the provincial government to withhold their dues.
“We are human beings and should be fairly treated. We have families to look after, school fees for our children and the list goes on,” Mr Gambrow said.
“The national MPs are crying for an increase in their salaries without giving any thought to the poor councillors, who are at all times living with the people back in the communities with only K100 a month.”
Mr Patiken said they would inform the Electoral Commissioner next week on their decision to boycott elections if the provincial government failed to respond positively.
The East Sepik provincial administrator could not be contacted for comment.
LLG adviser Lukas Engime said recently that even though the SRC had approved a payment of K200 per month for each councillor, it was the prerogative of the provincial governments to pay the councillors according to its revenue.