A concerning analysis by community advocacy group ACT NOW has revealed that almost all District Development Authorities (DDAs) in Papua New Guinea are failing to make crucial contact information available, hindering governance, accountability, and service delivery.
Despite each District receiving K20 million annually for service and infrastructure improvements, as of July 2024, the analysis reveals most DDA’s do not have a named Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and lack an email address, postal address and phone number or website.
Of 96 District Development Authorities across the country:
- 51 lack a named CEO;
- Only 3 have an active email address;
- Just 4 have a working phone number; and
- Only 8 have a postal address or website.
1. CEO Names Missing: It’s surprising that 45 out of 96 DDAs don’t have a named Chief Executive Officer. Having a clear leadership structure is essential for decision-making, coordination, and accountability within these districts.
2. Almost No Email Addresses: With only 3 DDAs having active email addresses, communication channels are severely restricted. Email is a fundamental tool for official correspondence, collaboration, and transparency. Without it, it becomes challenging to engage with stakeholders, receive feedback, or share important updates.
3. Scarce Phone Numbers: Having just 4 DDAs with working phone numbers further exacerbates the communication gap. Phone lines are essential for immediate communication, addressing urgent matters, and facilitating community engagement. Without accessible phone numbers, it’s difficult for citizens to reach out to their local authorities.
4. Postal Addresses and Websites: Only 8 DDAs having postal addresses or websites is another area of concern. A postal address facilitates written communication for submitting documents, and requesting assistance. Meanwhile, a website can serve as a central hub for information dissemination, project updates, and transparency reports.
“Contact details are fundamental for accountability. The absence of named CEOs, active emails, phone numbers, and postal addresses obstructs work of governance institutions and citizen interaction,” said Cathy Tukne, Information Coordinator for ACT NOW. She emphasizes the importance of publishing comprehensive contact details for effective engagement.
ACTNOW recently published two other sets of analysis; one focusing on the lack of District five-year plans and the other on the failure to publish District acquittals.
An analysis of media reporting by ACT NOW reveals just;
- 21 out of 96 Districts have launched a 5-year development plan. Only 7 plans are publicly available.
- 24 out of the 96 have lodged their financial acquittals for 2022 or 2023 and none of those acquittals are publicly available.
- No Inspection reports from Department of Implementation and Rural Development (DIRD) are publicly available.
- No financial report audits available.
- Only 6 District have publicly announced an annual budget.
ACT NOW recommends:
1. Leadership Action: All DDAs to publish the names of their CEO, and contact phone, email and postal addresses.
2. Leadership Code Enforcement: The Ombudsman Commission (OC) should take action under the Leadership Code against CEOs and DDA Boards chairs who fail to publish plans, acquittals or contact details.
3. Funding Restrictions: The Department of Finance should stop distribution of further DSIP (District Services Improvement Program) and DIP (District Infrastructure Program) funds to districts with no plans, acquittals or contact details.
4. Audit Expansion: Government increase funding to the Auditor-General’s Office (AGO) to enable it to conduct audits for all 96 districts.
These measures will promote accountability and ensure that public funds are used effectively and transparently.
For further information, visit the DDA Watch website and stay informed.
Together, let us build Districts that serve our communities and thrive through transparencyy.
For interviews, call Cathy Tukne on (+675) 78445276 or (+675) 77159197
or email tuknecathz90@gmail.com