Historic first sees Ward councilor’s on government payroll beginning this fortnight

Seven thousand two hundred and seventy seven Local Level Government councils (LLG) will be put on the Government’s Ascender payroll system for the first time since independence.

The group comprises of 6375 ward councilors and 902 Community Government members of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB).

The government has allocated K2.5m for this course which will see the deputy presidents, deputy mayors and ward councilors be paid K350 and K300 respectively every fortnight starting tomorrow.

Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs Minister Soroi Eoe said the LLG leader’s salary will be paid in batches starting with 12 provinces starting Wednesday (pay period 5), the second lot in pay period 6, followed by the third group in pay period 7 and the last batch in pay period 8 and by then all LLG leaders would have been migrated to the Ascender payroll.

All payments will be backdated to pay period 1 of 2024.

Minister Eoe said this significant move now connects a missing link between the third-tier government and the Department of Provincial & Local Level Government Affairs.

“That relationship over the years has been one of unsustain and superficial with no commitments,” he said.

“DPLGA will strengthen accountability mechanisms, increase roles and responsibility of LLG councilors.

“They will keep an eye on just about everything that goes at the ward, LL and district level.

“Having these group of leaders on the payroll will improve service delivery across all sectors in the community.”

Mr. Eoe said LLG leaders have an important role to play in taking ownership and addressing social issues affecting the country and providing the necessary support as such will provide positive impact and encourage change at community level.

Discussion for this important agenda was introduced in 2021 where the National Executive Council made a decision to have Ward Councilors put on the government payroll.

The Marape/Rosso government is committed to making sure it honors hardworking Papua New Guineans right down to the Ward level.

For their commitment to ensure services are delivered at the ward level, Ward Councilors will now be on the payroll.

Public Service Minister Joseph Sungi said the next step is to add the Ward Recorders onto the Government Payroll.

"In that way, we will not be waiting for Census", said the Minister.