Parkop urges provinces to use new appointment powers responsibly

National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop has urged provincial governments to use their new powers to appoint senior public servants responsibly under the amended Section 73 of the Organic Law on Provincial and Local-Level Governments.

Governor Parkop made the call following the NCDC Board's reappointment of City Manager Ravu Frank under the new law.

He said the amendment gives provincial and municipal governments greater authority to appoint their own administrators.

"Parliament passed the ammenmemt to the Organic Law on Provincial and Local Level Goverment [ammenment 15/2025] is the ammenment that enabled the provincial governments and in our case the municipal government of our city to be given the power to appoint their own administrators and in our case City Manager."

Parkop said the reform is an important step towards decentralisation, allowing provincial governments to make decisions that best serve their people.

"The ammenment is significant for our country. For a long time these power has been vested with the NEC [National Executive Council]. It has its merits but been a difficult process. Sometimes the process is smooth but many times the process has been difficult."

Previously, Provincial Executive Councils could only nominate candidates, while the National Executive Council made the final appointments after consulting the Public Services Commission.

Governor Parkop said provinces must exercise the new powers with integrity and ensure appointments are based on merit.

"We must continue to subject to due proces, due deligence. The appointments must be on merits. We shouldn't appoint wantok system or who we know. That's the story of the last 50 years."

He said strong leadership is critical for effective service delivery and good governance, and all appointments must follow a transparent process.

Governor Parkop also congratulated Ravu Frank on his reappointment and expressed confidence in his ability to continue delivering results for the people of Port Moresby.