Haiveta urges provincial governments to refocus on lawmaking

Gulf Governor Sir Chris Haiveta says provincial governments have lost focus on legislating and making laws at their level.

Representing provincial governments at the 50th anniversary commemoration of the Constitution yesterday in Port Moresby, Sir Chris thanked the former government for granting provinces the power to make their own laws.

However, he stressed that more action is needed.

“I want to thank the government at the time for its wisdom. However, after the reforms in 1994, we have basically lost sight.

"Provincial governments don’t do much reform, and we have a lot of work to do with the guidance of the Clerk and parliamentary officers,” he said.

He added, “Prime Minister, on behalf of all provincial governors, I thank the nation for allowing us the space to make laws and align them with the guiding principles set out in the Constitution and its amendments, which were made for the first decentralization of powers to the provinces.”