Enga to be the first to decentralise village system, says Steven

ENGA will become the first province in the country to decentralise the village court system to maintain law and order, address issues such as gender-based violence (GBV) and sorcery–related killings.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Justice and Attorney–General Davis Steven made the announcement on Monday at Sari in Wabag.
Steven said while Enga was experiencing major infrastructure developments, law and order was becoming another concern hence the need for a better justice system in the village level.
Steven said once powers were given back to the village court then serious law and order issues like tribal fighting, GBV and sorcery–related killings could be dealt with by village courts.
“Currently, the government is spending millions to address all those issues to reduce statistics but numbers keep increasing,” Steven said. “We need the church and NGO’s to come on board and assist too as these are very serious trends the country is facing.”
He said Enga would be the first province for this initiative.
Enga Governor Sir Peter Ipatas welcomed the decision and said that the provincial government had been supporting the village court system over the years.
He said his provincial government had also increased the salaries for the village court officials.
“Now powers are given back to us and I want ward councillors and village court magistrates or leaders to help police with information so that people breaking the laws can be punished.”