The Governor of New Ireland in Papua New Guinea says the machinery of central government continues to fail the people of the country and the time is right for more autonomy for provinces.
Former Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea and Governor of New Ireland province, Sir Julius Chan. Photo: The Entrepeneur
Sir Julius Chan has been calling for more autonomy for his province for years, saying it's ready to take on more powers of taxation, over natural resources, education, health and other sectors.
Sir Julius, who is a former Prime Minister, says Waigani takes 90% of provincial revenues yet has failed to adequately manage basic service delivery to provinces.
He says Waigani cannot cope with the situation because it cannot even look after itself.
"Port Moresby is a mess. Waigani is totally inefficient. And the longer we prolong the situation and allow Waigani to run us into trouble, I don't think that the provinces will want to stay with a bad organisation like that."
Sir Julius Chan says PNG would be more suited to a federal system of government.
He warns his country risks breaking up if it continues with the inefficiency of central government machinery.
Sir Julius says the time is right for more autonomy for provinces like his.
He says New Ireland is ready to take on more powers of taxation, over natural resources, education, health and other sectors.
"Everything comes from Port Moresby and Port Moresby is the worst, most inefficient organisation in PNG today. If we continue to allow a very disorganised group or people running the rest of the country, it's sure to break up."
Sir Julius says granting more autonomy to provinces would not cause the disintegration of PNG as a nation but instead help it stay intact.
