28/11/2025
DPLGA Launches Major Crackdown on Provincial Governance: Officers Deployed to Enforce Accountability
The Department of Provincial and Local-Level Government Affairs (DPLGA) has initiated a sweeping governance reform, deploying senior officers to provinces across Papua New Guinea in a decisive move to plug what has been described as a "governance blackhole" regarding public funds and service delivery.
Following the country’s recent 50th Independence Anniversary celebrations, DPLGA Secretary Philip Leo announced the deployment of 20 senior headquarters officers to the provinces. Their mandate is explicit: enforce compliance with national laws, ensure statutory reporting, and restore accountability in institutions that have historically failed to deliver results despite receiving millions in annual funding.
Secretary Leo issued a stern directive to all public servants across provincial administrations, District Development Authorities (DDAs), and Local-Level Governments (LLGs). He highlighted a chronic disconnect between the budgets allocated by the National Government and the tangible services received by rural communities.
Accountability is not optional—it is mandatory," Secretary Leo stated. "For too long, millions of kina have been allocated annually, yet there is little to show for it in rural communities after 50 years of independence. This neglect must end."
The Secretary warned that the era of complacency is over. Under the Public Finance Management Act and Public Service General Orders, officers who fail to meet statutory reporting requirements—such as the submission of Annual Financial Statements and Performance Reports—will face severe disciplinary action, including termination.
The deployed officers will operate under the Provincial and Local-Level Monitoring Authority (PLLSMA) Division. Excluding the National Capital District and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, these officers will act as the operational arm of the DPLGA on the ground.
Their responsibilities are grounded in the Constitution (Section 187A) and the Organic Law on Provincial Governments & Local-Level Governments. Key tasks include:Oversight the operations of DDA, LLG, Wards, LLG SPA, Town & City Authorities.
Enforcing the submission of Annual Financial Statements (due March 31) and Provincial Performance Reports (due June 30).
Conducting on-site reliability audits of infrastructure projects to ensure reported developments match reality.
Oversight roll out of the DPLGA’s Digitized E-Ward Record System, capturing and recording demographic and socioeconomic data from the 6912 wards across the country.
The initiative targets systemic weaknesses, including irregular meetings that stall decision-making and the lack of oversight regarding LLG, City Authorities and DDAs.
Secretary Leo acknowledged that this deployment represents a significant logistical investment involving office space, transport, and accommodation. He called upon Provincial Governments and District Administrations to share the burden of these costs to ensure the success of the realignment.
"Assigning 20 officers to the provinces is a major investment in governance reform," Leo noted. "It comes with costs, but it is for the benefit of our people and our country."
Framed as a cornerstone for modernizing governance as Papua New Guinea enters its next half-century of nationhood, the reform aims to rebuild public trust.
"This is not just about paperwork—it is about delivering results for our people, ensuring every kina spent is accounted for, and embedding a culture of accountability that will carry PNG into its next chapter with integrity and efficiency at the core," Secretary Leo concluded.
The DPLGA expects the initiative to yield immediate improvements in the transparency of public fund management and the quality of services reaching rural populations.
