NEWS
DPLGA TO IMPLEMENT DTIP IN DISTRICTS

Helen-Jennifer BUBUWAU By Helen-Jennifer BUBUWAU | February 1, 2024

DPLGA TO IMPLEMENT DTIP IN DISTRICTS
The Department of Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs (DPLGA) in Tari is currently focusing to implement its District Town Improvement Program (DTIP) in its districts, aimed at creating wealth and income earning opportunities for the rural majority. Since the introduction of the District Town Improvement Program in 2019 up till 2022, DPLGA has successfully delivered 21 impact projects at the cost of K25.5 million. According to a press statement, the District Town Improvement Program is aimed at transforming district head-quarters from mere administrative offices into economical hubs and commercial centers, basically to boost rural development and economic empowerment. DTIP is a capital investment project that was introduced in 2019, targeted at improving and developing district towns into economical hubs. Since Independence in 1975, most of the district towns were seen as mere administrative headquarters; however, through this DTIP concept the DPLGA now aims to convert all 89 plus 7 new districts into economical hubs to empower the people into building the country’s economy. Additionally, District Town Improvement Program aims to promote public, private and people partnership for the development of respective districts. Department of Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs is responsible for managing and supervising the implementation of the DTIP. This program was introduced by the Papua New Guinea (PNG) Government in response to a public outcry on the lack of service enabling infrastructures in district towns and has been identified as the biggest impediments in delivering social and economic services to the rural population. Furthermore, through the District Town Improvement Program, the National Government aims to empower local economics by guiding all capital investments on key infrastructure that will trigger economic growth at the district level, it will also transform administrative centres into district service and growth centres to drive-social economic growth and development into rural parts of the country. Meanwhile, the following impact projects were funded by DPLGA and counterpart funding from the District Services Improvement Program (DSIP) and other development grants; 1. The Hulukumaya building (Tari Pori office complex) 2. Komo District complex, Tambul Nebilyer office complex 3. Wabag district office complex 4. Imbonggu public servants stuff house 5. Rigo office complex 6. Nuku office complex 7. Wapenamanda district office complex 8. Wewak district office complex 9. Okapa office complex 10. Lagaip district office and LLG chamber 11. Jimi district public servants stuff houses 12. Finschaffen Gadigu market development 13. Esa'ala Finance office 14. Pomio district public servants stuff houses 15. Wosera Gawi Yambi market development 16. Ambunti -Drekikier sub-district market 17. Imbonggu district market 18. Wain- Erap and Huon- Wamper Growth Centers.