Governors back 30-month grace period

By JEFFREY ELAPA
THE first governors’ council has passed several resolutions during its conference at the March Girls Beach Resort outside Port Moresby yesterday.
Among them is the proposal to back Prime Minister Peter O’Neill’s plan to extend the grace period from 18 to 30 months.
The two-day workshop was conducted by the Department of Provincial and Local Level Government and chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Leo Dion, who is also the inter-government relations minister.
With the exception of Western Highlands’ Paias Wingti, East Sepik’s Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, New Ireland’s Sir Julius Chan, Hela’s Anderson Agiru, Morobe’s Kelly Naru, Northern’s Gary Juffa and Manus’ Charlie Benjamin, all the governors turned up.
Among the resolutions made on the first day were:
lThe timely release of government grants to the provinces to enable the effective delivery of services through a government legislation or policy;
lTo create a disaster management fund to respond to relief needs;
lTo provide guidelines to control DSIP funds and all equipment bought using the funds must be registered with and carry government plates;
lA proposal for parliament to set up a parliamentary committee on autonomy for provinces with a unified system of autonomy;
lTo amend the National Capital District Commission Act and replace it with an Organic Law, with reviews to be made later;
lTo hold provincial governors’ conference twice a year;
lTo establish a PNG development forum organised by the chief secretary where development issues can be discussed;
lTo allow Central to have its own central city; 
lTo support the prime minister extend the grace period on the vote of no-confidence on governments from 18 to 30 months;
lTo help the government roll out functions in the districts and provinces; and
lTo revise the national strategic plan among others.
The meeting was opened by O’Neill and continues today.