Marape open to idea of governors’ council

PRIME Minister James Marape is open to the idea of establishing a national governors’ council and a secretariat to support provincial, district and local level governments.
He also told Parliament yesterday that the Government would be re-introducing the national monitoring council to provide an oversight of government activities and keep in check all levels of government.
The idea, mooted by Morobe Governor Luther Wenge, is to set up a council to be a go-between for the governors and the Government.
“There are a number of forum at the national level for governors to air their grievances about this, but there could be a national governors’ council instead along with its secretariat,” he said.
“Problems of each province can then be addressed through the council (which) will decide how and what issues goes through to the Government.”
Marape said if the governors felt that there should be a body in between the governor’s level and national level, “that body needs to be clearly specified in law”.
He said an appropriate legislation could be tabled in Parliament.
“We’re looking into ways to strengthen the provincial government system,” Marape said.
“Let me encourage all MPs to be conscious of the fact that provinces embrace the functions of government at the sub-national level.
“I suggest we look at the present organic law on LLGs to see where we can insert that provision.”
He said next year, the Government would bring back the National Monitoring Authority, but “keep it at arm’s length from the Government”.
“It will become a body that has the presence of civil society to have an oversight of government activities and programmes,” he said.