Decentralization of powers and the strengthening of the provincial government systems to better deliver to the people in terms of service delivery and development, will be the topics of discussions at the 2023 Provincial Governors Conference in Port Moresby.
The Host Governor of this Governors Conference, National Capital District (NCD) Governor Powes Parkop, when opening the two- day conference today , said in order for the provincial government system to be strengthened, there has to be more power given the the various provincial government through the process of decentralization.
Giving a picture of his situation in NCD, he said the sub- national level needs to have more control over transport, education and even health services, which he said is mostly managed at the national level. By doing so, the provincial can do a lot more to address the issues is these areas.
Parkop hopes that a good outcome in the form of a resolution, will come out of this conference and wants all governors to participate fully in this.
“Work together to find a solution, a win- win for our people and for our nation,” said the governor.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister James Marape said his government stands ready to support any reform proposed for the system of government to further strengthen the sub- national level, as long as they are viable and will lead to fully helping the people in the country.
He said Papua New Guinea will soon mark its 50 years of nationhood and its about time that new positive changes are made to the country’s system of government, to strengthen provinces and the country as a whole going 2025 and beyond.
Meanwhile, the 2023 Provincial Governors Conference will end tomorrow with the endorsement of the resolutions as outcomes of the conference.
All 20 provincial governors along with NCD and delegates from the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB) are attending this conference at the Hilton Hotel, Port Moresby.