HIRI PRESIDENT ROGEA DISBURSES OVER K3.9 MILLION TO WARD COUNCILLORS UNDER 2026 BUDGET
APPROVED FOR RELEASE
A total of over K3.9 million has been disbursed by the Hiri Local Level Government Local Executive Council (LEC) and Assembly through the 2026 LLG Budget, allocated directly to ward councillor development funding.
On Wednesday, May 20, Hiri President Hoada Rogea officially handed over cheques to 19 ward councillors during a special full Assembly sitting held at the Hiri LLG Chamber in Mirigeda, Central Province.
The funding is sourced from LNG royalty revenues derived from the PNG LNG Project impact benefit streams, which are allocated to the district for development purposes.
The latest distribution continues from a broader K12 million allocations received by the Hiri LLG in the previous year, structured under a ward-based funding formula designed to promote equitable development across both LNG-impacted and non-impacted communities.
Under the approved district framework, major LNG impact village wards—Porebada, Boera, Papa, and Lealea—received K250,000 each. Larger population non-impacted wards were allocated K200,000 each, while smaller wards received K150,000 each.
An additional component was also directed toward water and sanitation programs, bringing total ward-level implementation support to approximately K3.9 million.
Speaking during the Assembly, Hiri LLG Manager Morea Baru urged councillors to exercise strong financial discipline and ensure the funds are translated into tangible development outcomes.
“Please invest the funds wisely and invest in tangible development in your wards,” Baru said.
District Administrator for Hiri Koiari, Sibiona Mavaru, also addressed councillors, stressing the importance of accountability and proper acquittal processes for all cheques issued.
“All funds must be properly acquitted. There will be no room for misuse, and every kina must be accounted for in accordance with government procedures,” Mavaru said.
President Hoada Rogea said the LLG remains committed to driving development at the district level as well and announced that an additional K3 million will be injected into the Hiri District as a counter-funding arrangement to support key development projects, with the cheque to be presented at a later date.
He further appealed for additional support from the Central Provincial leadership to strengthen district-level development financing.
“I call on our good Madam Governor to help us and assist the Hiri District and counterfund the district too and help support projects in Hiri,” Rogea said.
Rogea also emphasised that all ward councillors must work closely with their Ward Development Committees to identify and prioritise one major impact project per ward, ensuring funding is directed toward sustainable and community-driven initiatives rather than scattered minor projects.
According to district officials, priority investment areas include water supply systems, rural sanitation, community access infrastructure, education facilities, and small-scale economic development projects aimed at improving household incomes.
The special sitting concluded with councillors formally receiving their cheques and being reminded that strict reporting and acquittal deadlines will be enforced by the district administration.
Observers noted that the structured funding approach reflects a broader effort to improve transparency and accountability in the use of development levies derived from resource projects linked to LNG revenues.
As the meeting closed, leaders reaffirmed that the success of the program will now depend on ward-level leadership, community participation, and strong monitoring systems to ensure the funds deliver visible and lasting development outcomes across
Hiri.
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