Poor planning stunts health, education
04 July 2024
CATHY TUKNE
| Act Now!
PORT MORESBY - The lack of proper planning at district level is a critical failure undermining the delivery of quality health and education services across Papua New Guinea.
Research by community advocacy organisation Act Now reveals that only 25% of districts have published a five-year development plan for 2023-27.
Good planning is essential for the delivery of quality services and it is shocking to see that, despite districts now receiving K20 million a year in service improvement and infrastructure funding, most do not have a clear roadmap for using the money.
This lack of planning is a major reason for deteriorating local services and the suffering endured by the community.
The lack of proper planning also undermines transparency and accountability, with both the public and key governance institution left in the dark about the management, monitoring, and utilisation of district funds
In 2023, Act Now launched a website to improve public access to district information and encourage greater participation in monitoring service delivery.
But we were shocked to find that only seven district plans are publicly available and that 75 Districts out of 96 have yet to announce a plan for 2023-27.
Also, not one district has published an annual budget for 2023 or 2024.
While we commend the 21 districts that have launched a plan, we’re calling on them to ensure the plans are available to their constituents.
Meanwhile, we are urging the Department of Finance to stop sending money to districts that have yet to produce a plan.”
Compounding the planning problems, only 40 districts have filed an acquittal of their spending with the Department of Implementation and Rural Development over the last 12 months.
The lack of acquittals raises serious questions about financial accountability at district level.
It is the responsibility of government to address these concerns to ensure effective service delivery and good governance can deliver meaningful development.
The public must also do its part by demanding more of their MPs and public officials.
Together, Let's Build Districts that Serve our Communities and Thrive Through Transparency.
Cathy Tukne is Information Coordinator for Act Now, a community advocacy organisation with a vision for a just and equitable society (gutpela sindaun blong olgeta) that embraces PNG’s cultural and biological heritage and is based on the principles of sharing, communal land ownership and environmental stewardship
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