Governors to adopt 15 resolutions

By JEFFREY ELAPA
THE governors’ conference, which ended last Friday, made four more re­solutions, bringing the number of reso­lutions to 15, including a call for the separation of powers and amendments to the Organic Law on Provincial and Local Level Governments.
The resolutions are:
l    That a provincial governors’ council be established with full funding from the national government;
l    That the salaries of local level government presidents and ward members’ to be recommended to the salaries and remuneration commission;
l    That performance-based contracts be introduced in the provinces to ensure public servants perform, review and amend the Organic Law and the Public Service Management Act accordingly to ensure efficiency of the public service in the implementation of government policies, and that the governors and PEC be given powers to appoint provincial administrators;
l    That the Department of Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs (DPLLGA) compile a list of enabling legislations and that a complete review of the Organic Law on Provincial and Local Level Governments be made and that the impediments to service delivery be rectified; and
l    That a review is made to the law governing the approval of PSTB from K3 million to K5 million.
Other earlier resolutions made were;
l    For the DPLLGA to discuss in detail amendments to the Organic Law on Provincial and Local Level Governments;
l    That parliament set up a committee that will work with governors and open members and the ministry of inter-government relations on autonomy for provinces and the proposal to create a district authority, and creation of district service improvement programme (DSIP) based on the experience from Bougainville obtaining greater autonomy, with an option for self-determination;
l    That the governors acknowledged the government’s intention to strengthen the provincial and local level governments to deliver service and the need to improve inter-governmental financing system;
l    That the government release provincial grants in a timely fashion and consider releasing grants with 40% in the first quarter, 30% in the second, 20% third and 10% in the final quarter;
l    That the laws and processes that govern DSIP be reviewed, formulate a district development plan, submit annual plans and budget to the PEC and the provincial administrators for inclusion in the provincial budget, all capital goods acquired under DSIP to have an inventory and submit to provincial administration, vehicles and earth equipment to carry government registration plates, DSIP funds to be released from national treasury to district treasury and reflected in provincial budget, the district development plans to be incorporated in the priorities presented by the ward development committee and a regular audit be conducted;
l    That a national emergency and response fund be established for disaster relief and that each province and district to be allocated funds for emergency responses;
l    That parliament passes an Organic Law on NCD that defined its character and powers;
l    That an annual Vision 2050 forum be held to allow stakeholders to participate;
l    That Central province to have its provincial city to be called “Central City” and
l    That the governors support the prime minister to extend the grace period from 18 months to 30 months.