Governor launches 5-yr plan

By ALPHONSE BARIASI

KAINANTU district laid out the red carpet for Eastern Highlands Governor Julie Soso when she visited there to launch two major development plans for the province.

Soso was accompanied by a large contingent of provincial executive council members, public servants and women leaders to what was seen by many as a momentous occasion for the province.

For the first time, Government funding was to be delivered directly into the hands of ward council members and women’s associations. 

Soso launched the province’s five-year integrated development plan and corporate management improvement plan for the civil service in the province.  

And to give substance to her own “baby” the KirapimHauslain strategy, she presented cheques of K10,000 to all council wards and ward women’s associations – Kainantu, Obura-Wonenara, Henganofi and Okapa received their cheques that day.  

Cheques were presented to council wards and women associations in the western end of the province which constitute Daulo, Lufa, Goroka and Unggai-Bena districts. 

KirapimHauslain takes planning right down to the ward level where the strategy contributes to a ward development plans.

The provincial government has given out K5.28 million to the 264 council wards and women’s associations in the province, money which is meant for capacity building. This includes training, awareness and establishment of communal centres at all wards which will be used for education and training purposes.

The money was from the provincial internal revenue. 

“If bottom-planning approach identifies the needs of the people and ultimately the province, starting at the ward level, then delivery of service must follow the same order and must start at the ward level,” Soso said.

“If the need of each ward is addressed, then we shall address the need of the LLG, the district and the province.”