Village magistrate payments queried

One Member of Parliament took the plight of ward councillors and village magistrates to the house today, calling for the government to pay their outstanding salaries before parliament is adjourned for elections.

Member for Sinasina Yongomugl and former Attorney General, Kerenga Kua was concerned that although the government passed legislations two years ago to have councillors and village magistrates on a fortnightly salary, many have missed out.

He said councillors were like the government in the wards but many of them have not been paid in the last 6 months.

He called on the Department of Provincial and Local Level Affairs to look into this and make payments to them before elections.

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill who spoke on behalf of the minister responsible and his deputy, Leo Dion said some of these councillors and village magistrates were missing out because of no proper account details.

He said those with correct details get their salaries while others without correct account details miss out.

He also attributed this to the appointment of councillors or village court magistrates without proper recognition from the department.

O’Neill said these were some of the factors contributing to the non-payment of salaries to some councillors and village court magistrates but assured Kua that these monies will be paid to them.