Huon Gulf pilots LLG induction in Morobe

The local level government officials gathered at the Sir Ignatius Kilage stadium in Lae, Morobe *(Image: Supplied)*

More than 100 Local Level Government [LLG] officials have gathered at the Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium for an intensive three-day induction training designed to streamline ward planning and governance across Morobe Province.

The workshop brings together 40 ward recorders and 90 ward councilors to master government processes, clarify their official roles, and develop strategic ward planning skills.

Huon Gulf District Administrator Andrew Namuesh urged participants to absorb as much information as possible and immediately put it into practice, as planning gaps have historically hindered progress.

"This training will help their work because ever since I took over the office in Huon Gulf, I saw that LLG officers lacked planning," Namuesh said. "I was looking for the five-year development plan for the wards and the LLG, and when the District Development Authority (DDA) wanted to work with the LLG, it was very challenging."

Namuesh said local planning is the critical first step towards securing district funding and resources.

"I want all these participants to prioritize this because they need the knowledge and skills to equip them to prepare their plans and submit them to the District Administration for us to deliberate and implement," he said.

Provincial Planner Gordon Aking said the workshop serves as a fundamental breakdown of how local governance should operate day-to-day.

"In this workshop, we will work with the ward councilors, inducting them on the processes and functions of the government, how they run government duties in their wards, and helping them to understand the rules in their respective wards," Aking said.

He said the skills taught are essential for the broader region.

"There are important systems which they will be inducted into. Before they plan and seek funding to implement, they must know how to manage. So this training is very vital for Huon Gulf and also for other districts in the province."

Morobe Province Human Resource Manager Kusak Meruk, who is part of the facilitating team, revealed a major upcoming change for local leaders. Meruk said a policy is currently in the pipeline to grant councilors regular fortnightly allowances to boost local government implementation.