Lae LLG members raise concern over payment delays

Councillors are complaining that grants are not reaching them on time so they can carry out development plans in their wards.
Councillors Carol Yawing (ward two), Mcquinn Douglas (ward three), Kin Sim (ward six) in the Lae Urban LLG have raised concerns over  delays in the payments of grants which they said were affecting delivery of services in their wards.
Spokesperson Sim said the Lae district development authority had approved their projects in 2014 but nothing was received and in addition their terms in office have been shortened by a year since the elections were brought forward.
“We all have a five-year development plan and how can we achieve our plans in just four years in addition to the delay in payments of grants.
“The provincial government must fast-track funds to see that our development plans are carried out at least,” Sim said.
“How can we deliver services and carry out our plans for our wards when our funds are held back.
“We appeal to the Government to release what rightfully belongs to Lae district for the delivery of projects,” Sim said.