DIRD aims to rollout Digital Bilum Platform to 16 districts across seven provinces by year-end

The Department of Implementation and Rural Development [DIRD] is set to roll out its Digital Bilum Platform across 16 districts in seven provinces, with completion anticipated by the end of 2024.

The platform's currently underway in Eastern Highlands Province, where Deputy Provincial Administrator Peter Gare emphasized its importance.

He encouraged public servants to fully engage in training, which he believes will improve their reporting capabilities.

“Learn as much as you can to familiarize yourself with the system,” Gare said..

DIRD Deputy Secretary for Program Implementation Wing, Gordon Warimbi, explained that the workshops are designed to ensure public servants can use the Digital Bilum Platform effectively, particularly to officers to prepare acquittal for Provincial and District Service Improvement Programs [PSIP and DSIP] funds.

“This is crucial for accountability in managing public funds, especially those allocated to subnational programs,” Warimbi said.

The Platform was first adopted and used by Nuku District [Sandaun Province] and Wabag District [Enga Province] five years ago. It was later extended to the Western Highlands Province earlier this year.

DIRD Secretary Aihi Vaki said that after Eastern Highlands, the rollout will proceed to Simbu, Morobe, East New Britain, West New Britain, and Milne Bay Provinces.

"We have 96 District Development Authorities [DDAs] in Papua New Guinea, with Nuku and Wabag already using the platform for their acquittals.

"Another 16 districts will join by December 2024, alongside seven provincial administrations," Vaki said.

Mr. Vaki said the rollout targets two districts in each province and includes each provincial administration.

"This includes Mul Baiyer and Hagen Open in Western Highlands, Henganofi and Lufa in Eastern Highlands, Talasia and Nakanai in West New Britain, Kokopo and Pomio in East New Britain, Wau-Waria and Lae Open in Morobe, Kerowagi and Gumini in Simbu, and Alotau and Samarai-Murua in Milne Bay."

He added that further funding in 2025 would allow DIRD to cover more regions.