Dei district clears decade-long backlog, hands over acquittals

The Dei District Development Authority in Western Highlands has cleared a 10-year backlog of financial reporting by handing over its acquittals for the 2023 to 2025 period to the Department of Implementation and Rural Development [DIRD].

Dei MP Desmond Kipa presented the financial documents to DIRD Secretary Aihi Vaki in Port Moresby on Wednesday.

The submission makes Dei the 14th district in the country to meet its financial reporting compliance under the Public Financial Management Act.

Kipa, who was elected into office in February following a by-election, said establishing transparency and accountability was his immediate priority upon taking office.

“We discovered that district financial reports had not been submitted since around 2016,” Kipa said.

“With technical assistance from DIRD officers, our administration managed to compile and finalize reports covering 2023, 2024, and 2025.

“This presentation reflects our commitment to transparency, sound financial management, and restoring accountability for public funds delivered for local services.”

Kipa spoke of operational hurdles in rural districts including unreliable electricity, poor telecommunications, and lack of internet access, continue to delay reporting compliance.

However, he welcomed DIRD’s rollout of the digital “Bilum” reporting platform, stating that online submissions would eliminate costly travel and freight expenses.

“Instead of district executives flying to Port Moresby to physically deliver boxes of documents, the digital system allows direct uploads,” he said.

“Funds saved on airfares and accommodation can be redirected toward basic services in the district.”

DIRD Secretary Aihi Vaki commended Kipa and his administration for addressing the long-outstanding reporting failure left by previous leaderships.

Vaki said the department was committed to changing all districts to paperless reporting to cut costs and streamline oversight.

“It is expensive to print, carton, and air-freight stacks of paper to Moresby,” Vaki said.

“The Bilum platform simplifies the process, upskills sub-national staff, and ensures immediate verification of district expenditure.”

Dei DDA chief executive officer Raphael Korldop thanked DIRD technical staff for guiding the district team to ensure the acquittal compilation met statutory requirements.