Ward Recorders and Agents in the six districts of Madang have raised grievances over nonpayment of allowances, including the cost incurred during the roll update for eight months.

The ward recorders and agents met with the Madang electoral officer manager, Sponsar Navi, on Monday (June27) at the Madang town police station demanding for the electoral office to pay their dues.

Madang Urban Local Level Government Ward Recorder, Theodore Mandoma, says they have been patient over five months and it is time the electoral office addressed their grievances.

Mandoma explained the buildup of their frustrations stems from four issues; nonpayment of allowance, insufficient allowance as per their contracts, risk allowance and the cost incurred since they started work on the roll update.

The ward recorders and agents started work on the roll update in June 2021 and completed the work in January 2022.

But the recorders and agents are arguing that the electoral office had not supported in funding the roll update and they had been using their own funds or borrowing from service providers to complete the exercise; adding that the cost incurred was too much an expense and the electoral office needs to address the issues outlined and sort out their allowances including the added costs.

Mandoma says ward agents received only K300 whilst ward recorders were paid K700 which wasn’t what they were promised as per their contracts.

Mandoma says the temporary Election workers need to know the actual rate of the recorders and the agents and if there was a change to the rate.

Meanwhile, Phillip Yatukru of Middle Ramu District, says the temporary election workers used their own funds or on credit basis to carry out the roll update.

Adding, the K300 and K700 paid respectively to the ward recorders and agents is less than the expenses involved in the exercise.

Ward Recorder John Marleh, of North Ambenob in Madang District also expresses of non-payment of allowances and other services that were rendered on credit basis that will also pose a risk to election officers during polling.

Madang Election Manager, Sponsar Navi, says like any government departments even provincial governments rely on the national government.

Navi reaffirmed that the roll update was started last year. 

However, the PNG Electoral Head office has not given any funds to the Madang electoral office to carry out roll update.

Navi says this is a big issue that needs to be sorted out but the smooth running of the election involves collaboration from all stakeholders including ward recorders and agents.

The Madang Election Manager thanked the temporary election workers for the work done adding the electoral head office has assured Madang electoral office that funds will be sent to sort out the overdue allowances.

Navi adds, the funds will be paid into the electoral office account and then cash withdrawn to pay temporary election workers who do not have bank accounts.

Navi says he will need clarification from the electoral head office on ward recorders and agents who have been paid K300 and K700 respectively including risk allowance, as all operations carried out in preparation towards the election must always include K300 risk allowance.

Mr Navi claimed he was not aware that the ward recorders and the agents were paid K300 and K700 separately.

Meanwhile those who have engaged services on credit basis have to provide evidence to the electoral office to look into the cost incurred during the roll update exercise.

The temporary election workers gave Madang Electoral office two days to seek answers and sort out their grievances.

The ward recorders and agents will meet again on Thursday 10am at the Madang town station to deliberate on the matter.

The Autonomous Bougainville Government has sworn-in ten new Secretaries to head its government departments in the Bougainville Public Service.

This follows the Toroama-Nisira Government’s recruitment exercise for the senior positions in the Bougainville Administration that commenced with the departmental heads.

The Bougainville Senior Appointments Committee which carries out the selection process, is chaired by Bougainville President Ishmael Toroama, completed its appointments in April following a grueling selection process.

Amongst the ten departmental heads sworn in today was Chief Secretary to the ABG Shadrach Himata who has been in an acting capacity for almost two years.

The other nine persons sworn in today as new Secretaries are;

 1. John Auna – Secretary for Finance and Treasury

2. Joel Nava – Secretary for Education

3. Stephanie Elizah – Secretary for Bougainville Independence Mission Implementation

4. Lynette Braratai – Pokas – Secretary for Lands and Physical Planning

5. Alex Kerangpuna – Secretary for Commerce Trade and Economic Services

6. Tony Koiri – Secretary for Technical Services

7. Kenneth Dovaro – Secretary for Department of Primary Industry and Marine Resources

8. Timothy Gaemate – Secretary for President and Bougainville Executive Council

Secretary for Community Government, Elly Sawa was not sworn in today due to being on duty travel in Port Moresby.

 

President Ishmael Toroama encouraged collaboration engagement between the departments in dealing with their respective priorities and implementing Bougainville’s Independence Mission.

The President also stressed on the need for departments to utilize the Sharp’s Agreement to draw down powers and functions from Waigani as well as creating a better relationship between the political and administrative arms of the ABG.

President Toroama expressed his optimism in building a cohesive partnership between the two arms of the ABG to ensure efficient service delivery and gaining traction in the Bougainville Independence Mission.

He urged the newly sworn-in secretaries to carry out their duties with integrity, accountability and transparency.

The Tumbawinlam Haus or Nimamar Council Chamber in Lihir was officially opened by incumbent New Ireland Governor, Sir Julius Chan on Wednesday mid this week.

The event marks an end to a milestone achievement for the people of New Ireland and personally for Governor Sir Julius Chan who fulfilled his mission of establishing 10 Council Chambers across 10 LLG’s in a space of 12 months.

The bright orange colored Council Chamber is perched magnificently up on the Potzlaka Government station hill, making its presence known to all who travel into the Lihir Township. 

Unlike the other Council Chambers the Tumbawinlam Haus was built in partnership with the Nimamar Council with counterpart funding of K1.2 million.

The name Tumbawinlam represents the six main clans on the Island.

First council sitting in the new building

The first Council sitting was chaired by President of Nimamar LLG, Stanely Tunut, with all 15 ward members present. 

Sir J was invited to deliver his official address to the LLG Council.

“Today we witness a new birth and new dawn of Nimamar Council Chamber. The begining of a modern establishment of your local Government by the People, of the People and for the People. This chamber is not for show. It is a legacy project. It will remain beyond our time,” said Sir Julius.

Incumbent Governor, Sir Julius Chan standing infront of the new building with Ward members.

Sir Julius also urged Lihir mine developer Newcrest to give more back to the island communities. He reminded the executives that were present of the need for a ring road to be built around Lihir.

The next project I want to open when I return to Lihir is the ring road,” said Sir Julius.

“I’m not happy because the company is not a small company and it’s a big company. Every year I push for the same thing. If I get back into Government we will review the MOA and push for the ring road to be completed once and for all. 

Festivities continued on into the late afternoon with food sharing and traditional song presentations. 

Member for Taunita Tinputz Hon. Morris Opeti has been sworn in as the Minister for Community Development in the Autonomous Bougainville Government.

Mr Opeti was sworn in today by Magistrate Michael Pepi at the Bougainville Administration Complex and was witnessed by Bougainville President Ishmael Toroama as well as several members of his cabinet and the ABG Chief Secretary Shadrach Himata.

Mr Opeti thanked his predecessor Thompson Gitovea for his services to the Ministry and Department of Community Development and vowed to continue to continue working to progress the department.

Opeti signing documents

President Toroama said that in any government, change will always be required to foster solidarity, stability and maintaining the integrity of the government. 

“As Bougainville prepares for its independence, my government, moreover the Bougainville Executive Council is not immune from change that must be instituted to strengthen our position for Bougainville to become an independent nation,” President Toroama said.

“At a time when Bougainville is concentrating on nation building we must also focus on building our human capacity through integral human development programs and improving the social welfare of our people,” Toroama added.

The ABG President said Bougainville can achieve this through its social institutions in music, sports and religion. The activities from these institutions will encourage our people to become more responsible members of society who can contribute meaningfully to our communities.

He told Mr Opeti that the focus of the department should be on the ABG’s Independence Readiness initiative.

This would require the department to completion of Drawdown of remaining 290 Powers and Functions of Civil Registry and Lukautim Pikinini Act (Family Protection Act)

Progression and completion of Community Development sectoral policies and possible legislations (public/private partnership policy, youth policy, gender policy, sports policy, arts and culture policy and family and protection legislation and policy).

For the ABG there has to be a committed political will to drive these outstanding priorities and have them implemented and completed.

“We must now look at creating policies and legislations to empower the Department of Community Development,” President Toroama said.

(Pictures supplied by ABG Media)