by Michelle Amba – EM TV News, Port Moresby
More than 3,000 local level government councilors received their back dated allowances today, thanks to the government’s policy on increasing payments for local officials and leaders. .
More than K12 million was credited into 3,400 accounts today.
Through the policy directive, respective government agencies have been directed to pay monthly allowances through the government’s payroll system.
There is an increase from K350 to K700 per month for deputy presidents, and an increase from K50 to K400 per month for councilors.
The government has allocated K50 million in this year’s budget for the implementation of this policy. Out of more than 6,189 councilors only half received their back dated allowance today, the remaining will receive in due course.
In the past councilors were paid monthly allowances on an ad hoc basis by their respective LLGs or provincial governments.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=7epfBdjdtJU%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0