The Department of Implementation and Rural Development, commenced the lower highlands region leg of its, “Bilum” Digital Reporting System awareness project, yesterday in Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province.
The “Bilum” Digital Reporting System is an online platform. Incorporating the governance framework of the service improvement program (Provincial and District Services Improvement Program – PSIP & DSIP) to ensure districts and provinces maintain compliance.
Speaking during the opening of the workshop was Minister for Environment and Conservation and Member for Lufa District, Simo Kilepa. He said that the lack of good governance is one of the main contributing factors of corruption.
“Over the years, the SIP has done wonders to some provinces and districts. While there is no visibility of impact development and service delivery for others.
“I perceived that this Bilum Digital Platform project will also aid effective monitoring, evaluation and reporting of the SIP funds.
“All of this is part of good governance, addressing abuse and mismanagement of development SIP funds.
“I also think that the Bilum Digital Platform has the capacity to report on other development programs. Like Public Investment Programs, Section 119 and Section 114 reports. Though we have jurisdictional boundaries that guide these reports,” Kilepa said.
He added that the Bilum Digital Platform is leading the space. Capturing the development and service delivery data across the 22 provinces and 96 districts. Saying it will be the second biggest Integrated Information Management System to Integrated Financial Management System (IFMS) in the country.
The Minister said DIRD Bilum Digital Platform is not just a digital tool – it is the embodiment of Government aspiration for a transparent, accountable and efficient Papua New Guinea – to improve our ranking. This platform promises to be the cornerstone for the future National Monitoring Authority under MTDP 4.
The reporting system hopes to strengthen accountability, transparency and ultimately improve service delivery in Papua New Guinea.
The awareness and familiarization workshop saw sub-national administrators from Eastern Highlands, Simbu and Jiwaka attend.
The Digital Platform Reporting system is funded by the GoPNG and Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade.
According to NGO group ACT NOW!’s DDA Watch website, out of the 96 districts in the country, Kilepa’s Lufa District is one of the 13 who has launched its Five Year District Development Plan for this parliament cycle.