The Mt. Hagen City Authority has officially presented its 2023 Annual Report to the Department of Provincial and Local Level Governments Affairs (DPLGA) in Port Moresby.
The report was received by Deputy Secretary James Agigo, responsible for Provincial Local Level Service Monitoring Authority (PLLSMA), along with Acting Director Herman Mirio on behalf of Secretary Philip Leo.
During the presentation, Mr. Agigo highlighted the ongoing reforms championed by DPLGA, especially in service delivery and the review of services delivery functions, which are being enhanced through new financing arrangements.
He asked for collaborative efforts with various national agencies to implement these initiatives effectively.
Acting Director Mirio underscored the significance of the current city authority arrangements, referencing their foundational role in the Organic Law Review conducted in 2012. He reiterated the critical importance of these arrangements in strengthening service delivery frameworks.
Mt Hagen City Authority’s Chief Executive Officer, Leo Noki, acknowledged the challenges in implementing these arrangements but affirmed their overall viability. He expressed confidence that the Authority’s initiatives would enhance operational efficiency in service delivery, while also recognizing the need for further improvements in specific areas.
Meanwhile, Secretary Leo is urging provincial administrators who have not yet submitted their 2023 Annual Provincial Performance Report (APPR) to do so, as the deadline has lapsed.
“Out of 20 provinces required to comply with the Organic Law on the Provincial and Local-level Government (OLPLLG), only four have submitted their report to date,” he stated.
In accordance with Section 119 of the OLPLLG, each provincial government must submit a report to the minister responsible for provincial governments and local-level government affairs for the preceding year by June 30.
“DPLGA will thoroughly review the submitted APPRs to ensure compliance with the required standards of accountability,” Mr. Leo emphasized.
He added that the insights and recommendations derived from these reports will inform future planning and development efforts, ensuring continuous improvements in governance and service delivery across provincial governments.