District authority comes into force

 DISTRICT development authorities will be set up to replace the joint district planning and budget priorities committee, following the passing of a bill in Parliament yesterday.

Parliament voted 66-18 to pass the District Development Authority Bill with most governors and Opposition MPs voting against it

National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop and East New Britain’s Ereman ToBaining Jr voted in favour. Parkop had earlier spoken against the setting up of the authorities.

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said the 1995 reforms intended to strengthen local level governments, establish provincial and district treasuries and make district planning compulsory. “It was hoped that finally services would be made available to those living in rural villages,” he said.

 “Regrettably this did not occur. Instead we have seen a gradual decline in services and infrastructure in the districts.” 

O’Neill said the Government had in the past three years sought to address this by increasing the funding to districts and provincial governments.

 “The next step is the creation of district development authorities,” he said. “District development authorities replace the current joint district planning and budget priorities committees. The (committees) have outgrown themselves.”

He said one would be established in each district.

“It is a legal entity that can sue and be sued and enter into contracts. The membership of the authority will be the same as the JDPBPC.”