Central LLGs to undertake rural service delivery projects

Four local level governments (LLGs) in Central will undertake the rural service delivery project (RSDP) being implemented by the Government of Papua New Guinea, jointly financed by World Bank and the Australian government.
The five-year project would be implemented in Rigo, Aroma Coast in Abau, Mekeo LLG in Kairuku-Hiri and Koiari LLG in Kairuku-Hiri.
The project start as soon as LLG elections for ward councillors or members were completed next month.
Finance officer with project management unit, Tobana Dalele, after the closing of the two weeks training of community development workers and technical facilitators workshop at March Girls Resort on Friday, said during the pilot phase of the projects in Central from 2013-17, 80 per cent was achieved in terms of projects implementation.
He said due to high rate of accomplishment, we achieved more under World Bank and it was a good indicator by completing 74 projects in Central but some projects were incomplete but it would have been 90 or more if all were completed.
Dalele said in the last 5 years, during the pilot project phase, a total funding of K4.2 million was used to implement the 74 projects but starting this year with the scaled-up version a total of K97.2 million had been earmarked for the project in the next five years.
He told the community development workers and technical facilitators as government workers, you were the face of the government and also face of the project, work closely with LLG staff and go out together to the wards/communities.
“You report directly to the LLG manager and the Central project officer Sinau Furi at the provincial headquarters in Konedobu,” Dalele said.
“Ensure you work on your work plans and prepare budget, straight after the local level government elections we will kick start our work in the respective LLGs.”
He said Goilala was in the pilot phase but would be part of the second phase of the project.
Rural service delivery project aims to improve communities’ access to basic infrastructure and services in targeted rural areas using inclusive, participatory planning and implementation.
This would be achieved through a community-driven development approach, emphasising the principles of transparency, accountability and sustainability.
The two weeks workshop was officially closed last Friday by representatives from DPLGA, Central administrations and the project management unit.