Sir Bob reveals new LLGs

GOVERNOR-General Sir Bob Dadae has proclaimed the establishment and abolishment of local level governments (LLGs) and wards in Gulf and Morobe.
These amendments will see the establishment of five new LLGs and 177 additional wards in Gulf.
This brings to a total of 16 LLGs comprising 327 wards.
For Morobe, three new LLGs brings their number to 36 and an additional 41 wards means the province has a total of 608 wards.
Some have been abolished.
Gulf Governor Chris Haiveta attended the announcement at Government House and thanked the Government, adding that reforms for his province started 15 years ago.
Haiveta said population growth in the province was the reason for the provincial government adding new councils and wards.
He said the Gulf government had included the new wards and councils in its budget for the year.
“It is an important day for the province because we started these reforms 15 years ago when I was last in Parliament,” he said.
“There was a need for us to refine and redraw the boundaries of Kerema to allow the town to grow and also to declare two new urban centres – Malalaua (Kerema) and Kikori (Kikori).
“Not only was there the creation of urban councils, but also areas were expanded to cater for new developments coming into the province.
“Secondly, since colonial days, there were no councils established in areas along our borders with Morobe, Eastern Highlands, Chimbu and Southern Highlands, Hela and Western and with Central.
“We do have areas where there are no councils or wards.”