Service boost for rural areas through project

 By BEATRICE BONAKOYA

A THREE-YEAR project to improve rural people’s access to government services has been piloted in Western and Central.

The Provincial and Local Government Affairs Department is developing the rural service delivery and local governance programme with the World Bank.

The project aims to develop a community-driven development model to improve the access of basic services in rural communities.

It has been piloted in eight local level government wards in Western and Central provinces at a cost of US$3.5 million (K9.1 million). 

Deputy secretary Dickson Guina said the department would ensure that the project was implemented effectively.

“We will do all we can to make sure the project is successful,” he said.

World Bank task team leader Erik Johnson said through the project, communities should identify and prioritise their needs and implement their own projects.

“There are various checks and balances to make sure that all the funds are used wisely.”

Projects include the construction of latrines, water supply,  repair of schools and rehabilitation of local roads.

PNGSDP representative Clement Vincent said this was one of the projects PNGSDP was focused on to support the livelihood of rural people.