The 2023 Provincial Governors Conference wrapped up on Monday with the concession that there is a need to review the Organic Law on Provincial Law on Provincial and Local Governments to better deliver to the people. The Minister for Provincial Government and Local Level Government (LLG) Affairs, Soroi Eoe said that in the course of the last two days conference, the governors have discussed and deliberated extensively on a number of important issues related to the theme of the conference, “Continuing Dialogue to Empower Provinces for Improved Service Delivery, Economic Growth and Self-Reliance.” “I am confident that we have had a productive exchange of views, raised legislative and policy issues impeding service delivery and reached common understanding that we need to review certain sections of the Organic Law on Provincial Law on Provincial and Local Governments that continue to impede improving the livelihoods of our people,” said the minister in his closing speech. The minister said there were seven key messages that came out of this conference that are of importance to the strengthening and reforming of provincial governments. Firstly, he said in the next six months going forward into the future they’ll coordinate with relevant state agencies and implement all the 20 Resolutions including the one that they concluded at the end of this conference. Any policies and legislations that impede service delivery will be removed. Secondly, he said the Prime Minister’s directive is very clear that all powers and functions embedded in the Organic Law on Provincial and Local Level Government must all be transferred. “We will assess each power and functions and establish whether or not it has been transferred in full or powers are still kept by state agencies in Waigani.” “Thirdly, as directed by the Prime Minister, we will establish the bipartisan committee. This committee will look at legislative and 4 policy issues that impede transfer of powers and functions directed by the Organic Law on Provincial and Local Level Government and other legislations. “We will formalize it in the next few weeks and have this Committee operational as soon as possible with clear Terms of Reference linking to the issues you have raised in this conference.” Fourthly, the minister said they will all be looking at the solutions tailored towards your special needs and peculiar circumstances of each province. Fifthly, is on tax revenue of which they discussed extensively on the internal revenue collection through taxes, of which the Organic Law empowers governors to collect taxes and engage in business activities. “Going forward into the future, the Department of Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs will lead the state agencies in ensuring that you receive those powers and functions and where there are need for capacity building staff to institutionalize these activities, we will support,” said Minister Eoe. The sixth key message is on the Provincial Health Authorities (PHA). “We heard you clearly. Health service according to the Organic Law on Provincial and Local Level Governments is a decentralized function and now being 5 centralized by the National Government. This impedes the spirit of decentralization.” He said his department and the Department of Prime Minister (PM) and NEC will start the process of decentralizing the PHA to the Provincial Governments. “Finally, you have identified another problematic issue; schools facing shortage of funds to provide all curriculum requirements. This directly relates to TFF policy in which commodity and school infrastructure components are being held by the Department of Education.” He said they will work with the Education Department to review the TFF policy in the next few weeks and ensure schools in the provinces receive 100% school fees that belong to the children. “I look forward to presenting the resolutions that will enable us to work together and solve issues that are impeding our country’s development aspirations. He concluded by saying that in the next six months they will communicate with governors as they progress to implement all the resolutions that come out from this conference.