Clarify roles

PRIME Minister James Marape’s Government need to tell the people of Morobe and Papua New Guinea who is politically in charge of Lae city’s affairs.
The people of Morobe are confused about the political powers, roles and governance responsibilities of Lae city.
Political leaders of these two separate entities have been fighting for powers and control over Lae city for some time now but nobody seem to care.
Here we have the Lae City Council legally established under the Local Level Government Act to run and manage the affairs of Lae city.
Then another body, Lae City Authority being established under the District Development Authority Act which causes confusions and conflicts amongst leaders of these two entities.
Minister for Inter Government Relations must seriously look into this now to avoid any possible legal challenges.
I suggest that the Government and current parliament consider abolishing the District Development Authority Act and concentrate on improving the Local Level Government councils by budgeting for LLG support improvement programme funding before 2022 national elections.
The government should also consider reductions in both PSIP and DSIP funds to MPs and give direct funding annually to LLGs.
Reducing and redistributions of development funds will not affect any budget allocation as this is coming out of exiting budgets.
Tax payers in Lae and the people of Morobe need to know from the Government who is the legal authority to run and manage the city’s affairs.
Currently these two entities are in place and operating separately costing tax payers millions annually in wages, perks and privileges.

Samson C Napo