The Department for Community Development, Youth and Religion (DFCDYR) is now responsible to carry out the Church-State Partnership Program (CSPP).
The CSPP responsibilities were handed over today by the Department of National Planning and Monitoring (DoNPM) to the DFCDYR.
The program aims to enhance the quality of education and health services that the churches provide throughout the country.
National Planning Minister Charles Abel handed over the CSPP documents and acquittals, including the project proposals, to Community Development Minister Delilah Gore, witnessed by the PNG Church Council.
Abel said Community Development is the department that has the appropriate mandate in terms of church partnerships and the Government’s relationship with the churches.
Abel explained that National Planning had only held this responsibility in the interim while they reviewed that policy to try and get it back to a proper basis then hand it over.
“I thank Minister Gore for the patience and I also seek your understanding together with our churches in relation to the basis of the policy,” said Abel.
“To avoid those continued issues of the past, we ask humbly that you all comply with this policy.”
Abel also thanked the churches for their contribution to delivering health and education services to the people in the country.
Gore thanked National Planning for the work put into the program and policy.
“We take it wholeheartedly to continue the work that you started,” she said.
On behalf of the churches, Assembly Secretary United Church Uvenama Rova extended their appreciation to the DoNPM as they look forward to working with the Community Development Department to implement the policy and carry out the programs.