West New Britain (WNB) province has become the third province to submit its 2024 Annual Provincial Performance Report (APPR) to the Department of Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs (DPLGA), handing in both the 2023 and 2024 reports yesterday, Thursday 22nd May. Deputy Secretary for the Provincial and Local Level Services Monitoring Authority (PLLSMA), Mr. James Agigo, received the reports from Provincial Administrator Mr. Leo Mapmani on behalf of Secretary Philip Leo. Mr. Agigo emphasized the importance of timely and accurate reporting, noting that it is a legal requirement under the Organic Law on Provincial and Local Level Governments (OLPLLG) and a key measure of accountability. “Provincial Governments have to be compliant to mandatory requirements under the Organic Law on Provincial and Local Level Governments (OLPLLG),” Mr. Agigo highlighted. Mr. Mapmani acknowledged Secretary Leo for his leadership and assured DPLGA that WNB will improve on its reporting by submitting future reports before the annual deadline (June 30th). Mr. Mapmani also emphasized the need to review and expand the current reporting framework to better capture population growth and shifting service delivery priorities. Secretary Leo noted that, according to DPLGA records, 12 provinces submitted their reports in 2023, while eight are still outstanding. For 2024, only three provinces have submitted their reports so far, with 17 yet to comply. With the deadline for the 2024 APPR approaching, Minister for Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs Soroi Marepo Eoe earlier had warned provincial governments to submit their APPRs. Minister Eoe strongly emphasized that lack of compliance not only undermines the principles of transparency and accountability that are fundamental to our governance but also hampers our ability to effectively monitor and enhance service delivery across the nation. The Annual Provincial Performance Reports are in compliance with Section 119 of OLPLLG, which mandates annual reporting on provincial performance. The report details the six key priority areas, which are Health, Education, Transport and Works, Primary Industry, Law and Justice and Governance. The first province to submit its 2024 report was Simbu followed by Oro and West New Britain provinces.