Funds for Independence Day Celebrations were transparently distributed across all the wards in the Nawaeb District in the Morobe District. Nawaeb MP Theo Pelgen provided that a total of K130 000 was distributed to the 47 Wards in the Wain/Erap, Nabak, Labuta and Ahi Urban. MP Pelgen said these funds were made available under his discretion, as social support for the district activities. “We encourage the community as a whole to discuss on the usage of funds, for assistance to the school, church or any other required infrastructure within their ward.” He said such transparency and equal participation by every member of the community is needed in all development within the wards and ensures peace and harmony within the people. Nawaeb District Development Authority (DDA) representative, Mr. Eric Mantaung, responsible for Wain/Erap Local Level Government (LLG) Wards, acted as a watchdog in the distribution of the funds. “We began distributing at Erap side from Sibi, Tinibe, Guenmbung, Rabisap and finsihing at Lowai on Friday.” “The next day we covered the Wain side where we began at Posa, then Gaing, then onto Bandong, Wana, Popof, Gwambot, Peter Ryan, Boana Station and Gaing Primary School.” He ensured all ward councilors and ward committees had signed documents at each location before we handed the money over. “A total of K2500 was distributed to each respective wards in Nawaeb District.” Mr Mantaung said, most of the Independence Day Celebrations in the LLG were held at schools where children and family took part in sporting activities and Independence Day flag rising. “We took this approach because previously the funds earmarked for Independence Day were not given down to the people on the ground. Only few wards came back with acquittal reports.” Meanwhile, MP Pelgen emphasized his aspiration to lead with transparency and accountability of all public funds and the need for proper acquittals of all funds, from this year onwards.