PNG Government Approves Policy to Put LLG Ward Councillors on Alesco Payroll System

 Statement By Inter-Government Relations Ministr Pila Niningi.

I am pleased to announce that the National Executive Council (NEC) has approved our submission from the Ministry of lnter-Government Relations to put LLG Ward Councilors on the PNG

ALLESCO PAYROLL system. 

This means that for the first time ever our hardworking Councilors will be receiving fortnightly pay. LLG Ward Councilors are the representatives of government authority and leadership at the community level, they play a crucial role in their communities in maintaining peace and good order.

However, they have been doing this for a long time without an effective payment system.

Thus, geting elected Ward Members on payroll is a milestone achievement by the Marape

Government.

LLG Ward Councilors are currently being paid a monthly allowance at the rate of K400.00 per

month and Deputy Heads of LLGs (Deputy Presidents/Deputy Mayors K700.00 per month using the Councilors Payroll System (CPS) developed by the Department of Provincial and Local-Level Government Affairs (DPLLGA). 

At times payments are delayed due to unavailability of funds by the Department of Finance and Department of Treasury due to cash flow problems faced by the government. 

Also, most Councilors are based in rural areas and their bank accounts are dormant because there are no regular transactions. When their accounts are dormant because of Bank Policy, Councilors are unable to access their funds when the Department makes their monthly allowance payment.

In order to avoid unnecessary delays and untimely payments the current method of payment will

be replaced with PNG ALESCO PAYROLL system.

As duly elected leaders Councilors will now

be paid K300.00 fortnightly while Deputy Heads of LLGs (Deputy Presidents/Deputy Mayors) will

be paid K350. 00 fortnightly.

The NEC has now directed the Department of National Planning and Monitoring, Department of

Treasury and department of Finance as well as the Department of Personnel Management to work closely with the Department of Provincial and Local-Level Government Affairs (DPLLGA) to ensure LLG Ward Members are put on ALESCO PAYROLL before the return of writs for the 2022 National Elections.

AS the Minister responsible, I would like to thank the National Executive Council and the Marape-Basil Government for listening to the grievances of the LLG Ward Members throughout the country by approving this policy to get them on the ALESCO PAYROLL. 

This will empower our Councilors to efectively perform their leadership roles at their respective communities by maintaining peace and good order.

Next : All rapid test kits for COVID-19 in PNG must be validated by National Control Centre