The Hiri Local-Level Government (LLG) has committed a record K1 million in counterpart funding to support the implementation of the Rural Service Delivery Project (RSDP) Phase 2, becoming the first participating LLG among 48 across 12 provinces to make the contribution.
The K1 million contribution, presented last Friday, is the largest counterpart funding commitment received so far from a Local-Level Government participating in RSDP Phase 2.
Department of Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs Deputy Secretary for Technical and Sub-National Support Services Wing and RSDP Project Director, Mr. Larson Thomas received the cheque on behalf of Secretary Philip Leo.
Related article: https://www.dplga.gov.pg/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/PNG-RSDP2-P508616_ESMF_
Mr. Thomas said the project would provide K3 million to each participating LLG.
“Hiri LLG will be the first among the 48 participating LLGs under RSDP Phase 2 to make its K1 million counterpart contribution.”
“This demonstrates your strong support and commitment to working in partnership with the Department to deliver much-needed infrastructure and social services to your communities,” Mr. Thomas said in a statement earlier on Tuesday.
Hiri LLG comprises 19 wards and hosts the PNG LNG Plant Site.
Under the project, Ward Development Grants will be disbursed directly by the Department of Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs (DPLGA) into the respective community ward subproject accounts.
Communities will then mobilize and implement their identified subprojects using the grant funding.
Mr. Thomas said the counterpart funding would be used to meet project implementation shortfalls, with every toea accounted for and reports provided to the respective LLG.
RSDP has been implemented in Central Province since 2014, beginning with the pilot phase, followed by Phase 1, and now continuing under Phase 2.
During the pilot phase, 44 impact projects were implemented in Tapinini, Kairuku, Rigo Inland and Cloudy Bay LLGs in Central Province.
Under Phase 1, a total of 48 community projects were implemented in Mekeo, Koiari, Rigo Central and Aroma Coast LLGs.
Central Province is expected to receive 96 impact projects under Phase 2.
During the previous project phase, counterpart funding contributions included K280,000 from the Central Provincial Government, K486,000 from Hiri-Koiari District Development Authority (DDA), K278,000 from Rigo DDA and K204,000 from Abau DDA.
An additional K570,000 was provided by the Central Provincial Government to complete 17 outstanding and incomplete subprojects.
This brought Central Province’s total counterpart funding contribution to approximately K1.8 million, making it the highest provincial contribution received under the previous project phase.
RSDP Phase 2 will be implemented across 12 provinces, 24 districts and 48 LLGs, with an estimated two million people expected to benefit.
An estimated 1,200 community projects will be implemented nationwide, including in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.
Mr. Thomas appealed to the 12 participating provincial governments, DDAs and other LLGs to provide their counterpart funding and necessary support to ensure successful project implementation within the agreed scope, budget and timeframe.
The cheque was presented by Hiri-Koiari LLG President, Hon. Haoda Rogea, MBE, MPA, and witnessed by Hiri-Koiari MP, Hon. Keith Iduhu, and Acting Central Provincial Administrator, Mr. Magini Raga.
The Rural Service Delivery Project adopts the Community-Driven Development (CDD) approach, empowering local communities to identify, prioritize and implement development projects based on their most pressing needs.
Through this approach, communities participate directly in decision-making, selecting priority projects, implementation and monitoring to ensure development initiatives reflect their needs and deliver tangible benefits at the ward level.