A call has been made to the East New Britain Provincial Government (ENBPG) through the district administration and division of LLG and Ward Affairs not to turn a a blind eye on wards when they need support.
The more than 100 Ward Development Committee (WDC) from Livuan Reimber LLG in the Gazelle district made this call during the swearing in program at their LLG chamber.
SpeakingĀ onĀ behalf ofĀ the WDCs TheonialĀ Watmelik said theĀ ProvincialĀ administrationĀ decision toĀ endorse these wardĀ policies in theĀ direction to focus on wardĀ level is the rightĀ thingĀ and best way in the quest for aĀ better ENB.
SheĀ said the two weeksĀ induction andĀ mentoring plus now theĀ swearing in is an eye opener and aĀ beginning of a new chapter.
"We are the genie pigs to the pioneer of the decentralization of the government of PNG in East New Britain at the local level government," said Mrs. Watmelik.
SheĀ further stated thatĀ the the 1997Ā Provincial act is not a mistakeĀ majority hasĀ taken place andĀ it isĀ importantĀ that theĀ sworn in WDCs now are the roleĀ models of the futureĀ generation.
The 29 wards and the people in the LLG witnessed the swearing in of the WDCs and signing info oaths facilitated by magistrate Shiella Luben.
The LLG president Sam Piniau also stressed thatĀ theĀ district administration mustĀ not over see proposalsĀ from the wards but mustĀ prioritize them so that WDCs are also happy to do their job inĀ serving theĀ peopleĀ inĀ their respective wards.
Mr Piniau thanked theĀ ward and LLG affairs division andĀ Provincial administration for the program as thisĀ willĀ strengthenĀ ward governance and make a change in the wards.
TheĀ WDCs raisedĀ that they need more timeĀ for mentoringĀ andĀ induction of theĀ WDCsĀ and also doĀ follow up and membersĀ must visitĀ the wardsĀ from time to timeĀ and hearĀ the criesĀ of theĀ WDCs.
"We cannot do our work without funding or proper tools we have been empowered to do our work but there are challenges such as no community hall, funding and others and the province and district must work together with the WDCs to serve our people," said Mr Pinau.
