Marape opens Oro offices

National, Normal
Source:

The National, Monday 6th May 2013

By SHIRLYN BELDEN 

THE national government’s effort to bring financial services closer to the people continued in the Sohe and Ijivitari districts of Northern last Friday.

Finance and Education Minister James Marape opened the finance and treasury offices in Sohe and Ijivitari where development programmes and service projects for the district will be attended to at more efficiently for the people. 

Marape stressed that with the government’s decision to bring services right down to the local people, the Finance Department had enforced its district treasury rollout programme (DTRP) in districts across the country where 56 offices were now functioning. 

“This district treasury roll-out programme by the Finance Department aims to bring services right down to the local people. 

“It is the government’s goal to develop the people by a good and effective service delivery that cannot be left unattended. 

“The people deserve these services, basic support to equally take part in the economic, social and political development of the nation.

“And this is one of the government’s main agenda focused on improving the livelihood of the rural population,” Marape said. 

The Sohe treasury office was constructed at a cost of K2.7 million while the one at Ijivitari cost K3 million. 

Under the project, the department also funded nine new staff houses for each district.   

The treasury offices will serve the people through accessing and assisting basic development projects. 

This will enable the districts to plan or manage development funds at the rural level so that development services can reach the rural people. 

Sohe MP Delilah Gore said such services by the government was historical and timely for the people of Sohe. 

She urged the people and public servants to respect and look after the office. 

Ijivitari MP David Arore said it was an achievement for rural people to see such basic services by the government. 

The DTRP was planned for 86 districts (excluding Jiwaka and Hela) when it began in 2004 with the basic aim of serving the rural people. 

The government rolled out K890 million for the programme benefiting 57 districts.  

The programme will continue over the next three years and is expected to be completed by 2015. 

Marape was accompanied to the districts by Finance secretary Steven Gibson and senior officials of the finance, treasury and national planning departments.