| GENERAL INFORMATION ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT |
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Below the central government Papua New Guinea is divided into four main regions who serve functions in matter of sporting competitions, basic government services and politics. Below the regions are 20 provinces. Two provinces have a special status being the autonomous region of Bougainville and the National Capital District with the city of Port Moresby. The provinces are followed by a further subdivision in 89 districts for administrative purposes. Local Level Governments (LGG’s) are the lowest political tier of government and are comprised of 339 authorities of their are 26 urban and 313 rural authorities. There is little difference in either the composition, functions or the responsibilities of the two types of government. Local elections take place in every LLG sector on a five year basis most recently in 2008. The elected officials take place in LLG councils. Provincial councils consist out of one delegate from the national parliament mostly appointed as governor, LLG presidents and some appointed members. New elections are planned for 2013 and fall under the supervision of the Papua New Guinea Electoral Commission.
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Local government is first of all embedded in the Constitution of Papua New Guinea of 1975. Further key legislative texts are the Organic Law on Provincial Governments and Local-level Governments (1995) and the Local-level Governments Administration Act (1997). These texts provide for the allocation of responsibilities of LLG’s such as water supplies, tourism and infrastructure. All local government institutions fall under the Department of Provincial and Local Government Affairs (DPLGA). Also the Papua New Guinea Urban Local-Level Government Association (PNGULLGA) is recognized by law and in the constitution.
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Local government in Papua New Guinea remains to be high on the country’s policy agenda. One of the seven pillars of the comprehensive country development plan Vision 2050 is the emphasis on community development and increasing the role of the LGG’s. Other government supported programs also focus on local communities and their active participation in development linked to increasing economic revenue. Also the DPLGA implemented a Corporate Plan in 2008 to provide assistance and support in linking different levels of governments streamlining mandates to further empower and build capacity on the provincial and local level. The results of these and other efforts are that the central government delivers only a very limited amount of services leaving most responsibilities in the hands of local authorities.
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Local Government Associations
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New Guinea Urban Local Level Government Association PNGULLGA (no website)
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National Local Government Partners
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Ministry of Inter-governmental Relations, Department of Provincial and Local level Government
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Regional Local Government Representation
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More information will follow.
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DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
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