Lae City launches digital platform for online land tax payments

Residents and business owners in Papua New Guinea's industrial hub can now pay land taxes online following the launch of a new digital portal by the Lae City Authority [LCA].

The platform, known as ServiceLink, was officially launched on Monday in partnership with fintech company NiuPay to digitize municipal services and reduce severe counter congestion at city offices.

Through the new system, ratepayers can register, link property records, and settle land tax bills remotely without carrying cash or waiting in physical queues.

Lae City Authority Chief Executive Officer Robin Calistus said the portal is designed to modernize administrative operations and streamline civic transactions.

"Basically, you are in the office or you are at home actually doing the transactions through the ServiceLink that is being provided," Calistus said.

"We want them to just stay in the office and do the payment."

NiuPay Chief Operating Officer Trevor Manokore said the digital platform directly addresses safety and efficiency concerns surrounding cash handling in the city.

"The elimination of cash payments is a big one," Manokore said. "People no longer have to carry cash around."

While land tax collection is the first function integrated into ServiceLink, municipal authorities plan to phase in additional digital services, including trading licenses and garbage management fees.