Beginning next year, Ward Councilors through the country will be put on government payroll and paid a fortnightly salary.
During last week’s parliament, Nawae MP Kennedy Wenge brought to light the hardship faces by ward councilors who are on meagre allowances and asked Minister for Inter-Government Relations, Pila Niningi if councilors can be paid a fortnightly salary.
“Councilors have been paid on an allowance basis. Many councilors are based in remote locations and travel long distances by PMVs and boats and by other means. They have been on allowances that are not enough to cater to their needs,” said Wenge.
Wenge questioned Niningi why councilors have not yet been put on payroll.
“Councilors must receive a fortnightly salary. Just like us members, our families depend on our fortnightly salary, this must be the same for councilors. Councilors play a very important role in our society. The work that they do is too big to be compensated for in allowances. They must be paid a fortnightly salary.”
Minister Niningi responded saying that work has commenced on including councilors in the payroll system.
“The Marape government has seen fit to push for councilors to be put on the payroll and NEC has made a decision to put councilors on the payroll.”
“Next year onwards, Member for Nawae, you can notify your councilors that they will be put on payroll. My department, together with the Treasury and Finance and National Planning have been given directives by the NEC to work together to put councilors onto the Elesco payroll system for public servants,” said Niningi.
He however, said salaries would depend on funding availability.
“How much we will pay depends on the funds that we have, whether it be K300, K200 or K250 fortnightly. This will be paid through payroll next year.”
Minister Niningi thanked councilors for doing very important work in the community. Often time, playing more than one role.