The Ministry for Religion, Youth and Community Development has signed an agreement with the Australian Government for Improved Decentralization and Service Delivery.
The Community Development Minister is the third Minister to sign the Partnership Agreement which supports Papua New Guinea’s priority of improving service delivery, economic opportunities and community development, by empowering provinces and districts.
The signing took place at Sambra Haus on November 9, between the Minister for Religion, Youth & Community Development, Hon. Soroi Eoe and the Australian High Commissioner, His Excellency, Bruce Davies and witnessed by respective Ministerial Agency Heads, Managers and senior officers of the Department and delegates from the Australian High Commission.
Ms. Anna Solomon, Secretary of the Department, gave welcoming remarks and highlighted the importance of the signing for the people of Papua New Guinea.
“This signing today is all about ensuring that our people, our citizens, benefit from the partnership we are strengthening. When we sign this agreement today, we are looking at all those citizens that make up a family unit,” said Ms Solomon.
Minister Eoe thanked the Australian Government for their continuous support to the people of Papua New Guinea and said the signing itself demonstrates the long standing relationship between the two Governments, before going on to emphasize the importance of his Ministry as part of the Agreement.
“As the Minister responsible for this important Ministry, which I administer, to facilitate the implementation of some of the very important National legislation and policies that focuses on protection and empowerment of family units that make up communities in Papua New Guinea.” Minister Eoe, said.
H.E. Bruce Davies acknowledged and thanked the Minister for taking the step to join other Ministries to sign this important document, while reiterating the importance of Minister Eoe’s Portfolio which covers some of the very important issues for the future development of Papua New Guinea.
“Minister, we are glad to include your signature now on this particular document as well, because when you think about service delivery and what happens at that localized level, no department more than yours is very much responsible for very important aspects of the work we’re trying to do together under this agreement.” Said Davis.
Davis added that “through the arrangement we are committed to see how we can ensure greater cooperation to empower provinces, districts and citizens, to improve service delivery, economic opportunity and community development.”
A further priority of this agreement is to provide support to ensure Papua New Guinea’s policy to decentralise service delivery is well developed and well understood.
