Prime Minister O'neill welcomes Ministers, Mayors to third Pacific Local Level Government Forum

Prime Minister Hon. Peter O’Neill warmly welcomed Ministers, Mayors and Officials from across the Pacific to the third Pacific Local Level Government Forum. The Prime Minister Hon. Peter O’Neill commented, "Holding your forum in Papua New Guinea today could not be better timed - as your host we are well in advance on some truly momentous changes that will significantly strengthen the role of local and community government. I hope this will be a blue print for the future of local government in our region. Until quite recently local government was neglected, underfunded and quite often sidelined in the systems of government. Essentially, lip service was paid to it... resulting in the whole system declining seriously in the post independence period. I am proud of what our government has done, and will continue to do and to build the role of local government as a key delivery agent of basic community services. My Government is the first in our history to directly fund local government. This year each council is receiving half a million Kina in direct funding. In addition, district authorities, which compromise local governments and open electorate members of parliament each receive 10 Million Kina in direct funding."