Councillors receive uniforms, badges

COUNCILLORS from seven local level governments (LLGs) in Southern Highlands and Western Highlands were the first to receive uniforms and badges on Friday during the launch of the issuing of LLG councillors badges and uniforms at Walume, Imbonggu.
The LLGs are Imbonggu, Ialibu Basin, Lower Mendi, Ialibu Urban and Mendi Urban in Southern Highlands and Lower Kagul and Lower Nebilyer in Western Highlands.
Enga Governor and former councillor Sir Peter Ipatas was the first to be given a badge.
Inter-Government Relation Minister and Imbonggu MP Pila Niningi told hundreds of people packed at the district office that his office and the Department of Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs (DPLLGA) recognised the important role councillors in the country performed to maintain order and peace in their wards.
He said the LLG ward councillors were the face of the government at the community level who at times acted as court officials or the police to maintain order and peace but successive governments had ignored them.
He said PDLGA had revived and re-introduced the ward members’ badge for LLG ward members throughout the country to empower, recognise, strengthen and promote good local governance to encourage quality leadership at the communities.