Hela LLGs get K200,000 each

HELA Transitional Authority chairman James Marape has called on the Hela people to rally behind their leaders within the next 18 months in preparation for the proposed Hela province before the issue of writs in 2012.
Marape made the appeal yesterday when presenting K3.2 million to 16 local level governments for the construction of their council chambers and assemblies.
Three LLG presidents –  Thomas Potape from Komo, Francis Keare of Mt Bosavi and Eric Yawas from Hulia LLGs –  were presented their cheques of K200,000 each to build their assemblies.
“I want to announce that the HTA has started its work programmes in preparation for a full Hela province when the writs are issued in 2012,” Marape said.
He said part of the work plan was to ensure the LLGs were up and running and fully established.
He said a national government funding of K23 million had
been appropriated to implement the HTA work plans, including putting in K200,000 each to the 16 LLGs.
“The Hela Transition Authority’s vision is to have a government at the district level that will involve the people on the ground in decision-making.”
Marape said the fundamental task for HTA was to prepare political and public service administration structures when Hela becomes fully fledged in 2012.
He said one reason for Hela to become a separate province was because the Southern Highlands headquarters in Mendi was too far away from the people.
He said the HTA intended to bring the government system down to the district level for the people to have a government at their doorsteps.
Marape said the LLGs were an important tier of government and must be empowered.
“I hope that when we go into 2012, we will have a system of government at the rural level that will be empowered to make decisions on the ground.”
Marape also said another requirement for a provincial status was to have a provincial assembly, and HTA had allocated K3 million in its first meeting last month for the construction of an assembly building in Tari.
“I appeal to every Hela man, woman and children to rally behind elected leaders within the next 18 months to complete the HTA work programmes.”
Marape said another important factor was the LNG project.
He said 3.5% of the current economic growth rate of 7.5% could be attributed to the LNG project.
“If we secure and stabilise Hela, the LNG project will run for the next 30 years.”
Potape, after receiving Komo LLG’s K200,000, called on all elected Hela leaders to work together to realise the people’s dreams and aspirations.
“All leaders at the national, provincial and LLG levels must work together for the development of Hela.”
Keare said this was the first time that the Mt Bosavi LLG
had received such a huge funding and he believed that change would happen within the next two years.