Focus on empowering lower level govts: Isifu

THE annual conference for the 22 governors will discuss autonomy and the decentralisation of powers, Minister for Inter-Government Relations Kevin Isifu says.
Isifu told a radio talk-back show on Monday that the Government wanted to empower lower levels of governments.
“We have realised the need for greater decentralisation of powers down to the provinces and districts,” he said.
“This is one of the major reforms by the government.”
He said the Government had already recognised East New Britain, New Ireland and Enga who had performed well in terms of management.
Prime Minister Peter O’Neill is expected to open conference which will be held next month.
“We have this 1975 model where the government is dealing directly with the people through the councillors and the districts,” he said.
In the provincial government system from 1975 to 1995, had powers to make decisions, although the government maintained its overriding authority.
He said since the 1995 reform, the country had gone backwards in terms of development with duplication of responsibilities.
“We now see that we have to make some reforms, identifying the correct way the system of government should operate.”