Autonomy later: PM

By DYLAN MURRAY
PRIME Minister James Marape has told governors that their provinces need to be financially empowered before they can be autonomous.
“What is functional autonomy when you are still dependent on Waigani for support?” he asked.
“You must match the functional autonomy with an equal fund-raising ability at the provincial level to ensure you are sustainable to be autonomous.”
Marape was responding to a question by Enga Governor Sir Peter Ipatas who wanted to know whether there would be a decentralisation of powers.
“Let us know whether there will be a devolution of power or not, to ensure we effectively discharge our duties according to the Constitution,” Sir Peter said.
Marape said the previous Government’s talk of giving autonomy to certain provinces in the country were made without a clear definition of what autonomy meant for the provinces concerned and what consequences remained.
“I have spoken with the provincial governments of East New Britain, New Ireland and Enga — the three provincial governments that were designated by the previous Government to have greater autonomy — after I took office,” he added.
“I will be meeting with all governors to discuss the issues that need to be addressed before the matter of autonomy or decentralisation are looked at again.
“The Government that I lead, in fact the party that I lead, is a strong (advocate) of the provincial government system.”