Hela opens new cash office and starts digital finance system
Hela Province has officially opened its new cash office and started using the Integrated Financial Management System [IFMS] following the launch held in Tari on Thursday.
The new system is expected to improve the way government money and payments are managed in the province.
The IFMS platform became operational after PNG DataCo completed the installation of fibre optic internet at the Tari Provincial Finance Office during a three-day rollout this week.
Hela Provincial Administrator Ronny Angu said the opening of the cash office and IFMS system marks an important step forward for the province.
“Today we are not only opening the IFMS system, but also formally opening the Cash Office for Hela Province, strengthening our capacity for efficient revenue management and financial operations,” Mr Angu said during Thursday’s launch.
Mr Angu said all government financial processing will now be done within Hela Province.
“It is also my firm vision and direction that no cheques shall be written or processed in Port Moresby or any location outside of Hela Province.
“There will be no excuse going forward. With the systems now in place, Hela must take full ownership of its financial operations here at home,” he said.
He said Hela previously relied on the Speedcast network, which was not reliable for the IFMS system.
Mr Angu said the new fibre optic connection from PNG DataCo is faster, stronger, and more reliable for government financial operations.
“We are also officially migrating from the Picker system to the IFMS platform, in line with national government standards, ensuring proper financial control, accountability, and full integration with the national financial management system,” he said.
Mr Angu said the fibre optic network will later be extended across Hela 1, Hela 2, and Hela 3 to improve communication and government services across the province.
As part of the launch on Thursday, Hela Province also printed its first government cheque in Tari.
Two payments were processed during the launch, including one for peace and gun surrender programs in Kopiago and another for Magarima District.