K2m given for district projects

MORE than K2 million will be disbursed to nine districts under the districts and local level government strengthening project (SDLLDP) while the Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs Departments calls for more applications.
“The Treasury Minister has signed the financial instruments … and the projects will be implemented as soon as the first allocation is released into respective accounts,” secretary Manasupe Zurenuoc said yesterday.
Mr Zurenuoc was speaking at the second call for proposals launch yesterday in Port Moresby and was adamant that such projects would enable an environment that was conducive for service delivery.
The projects, worth K2.28 million, were supported by the European Union and the initial call for proposals was undertaken last May.
The recipient districts are Kabwum (K105,014), Kandrian-Gloucester (K242,424), Wosera-Gawi (K245,000), Yangoru-Saussia (K166,000), Markham (K280,000), Tambul-Nebliyer (K340,000), Maprik (K245,000), Ambunti-Dreikikir (K245,000) and Wewak (K245,000).
From the initial grants, K166,562 remain unused.
“This project will help to foster and create an environment conducive to provide opportunities to participate meaningfully in development processes,” Mr Zurenuoc said.
The financing agreement for this project, aimed at supporting service delivery and broad-based socio-economic growth was done in October 2007.
Districts that were unsuccessful in the first call for proposals are expected to submit and register interests and the nine districts that have been noted to receive grants are not eligible to apply during the second stage.
Mr Zurenuoc said this project complemented the Government’s focus on rural development.
The call for proposal is open for only 60 days and interested districts need to lodge applications quickly and can obtain information from the website www.sdllg.org.pg.
“This is where most of the population are in rural areas and it is where all development should begin,” he said.  “The bottom line is to ensure service delivery is achieved.”