A total of 49 wards in the Rabaul District will witness the swearing-in of its ward development committees (WDC) this week.
The swearing-in occasion of members of the WDCs kicked off today (Mon) for Rabaul Urban LLG (RULLG) for its 11 wards, Watom LLG will be on Wed for its 6 wards, Balanataman LLG on Thursday for its 19 wards and Kombiu LLG will be on Friday for its 13 wards.
This culminates from the rollout of a 21 days ward governance mentoring and WDC setup program initiated by the Districts and LLG Services Division under the ENB Provincial Administration (ENBPA).
Commencing on Nov 7, the total of 18 LLGs under the four district administrations of Rabaul, Kokopo, Gazelle and Pomio took lead in reviving this program in the 382 wards to address the weak system of governance displayed at the ward level.
Speaking today at the WDC swearing-in program for 77 officials for the 11 wards in Rabaul Urban LLG was Advisor for Districts and LLG Services, Rose August who said the Organic Law stated LLGs must be fully resourced to execute roles at the ward level.
“In terms of WDC, this structure has not been existent with only one or two people on the committee but now full committee with representatives covering all strategic result areas,” she said.
She said there would be no LLGs and districts without the wards where most of the people, resources and economic activities are.
She said strengthening ward governance at the ward level will alleviate social and law and order problems and promote economic development.
Rabaul Deputy District Administrator for Administration, Babel Umri said the swearing in today is a significant milestone in the history of wards.
Mr Umri said following the Organic Law Reform in 1995, bottom up planning still has not been realized.
He commended ENBPA for this initiative to drive government policy at the ward level.
Rabaul District Magistrate Maristella Painap reminded the newly sworn in officials that they are the connection at the ward level.
Attending the occasion was Magistrate Maristella Painap who facilitated the swearing in of the 77 officials and senior officers from the ENBPA, Rabaul district Administration and RULLG.