Bilum Digital Platform

He said unlike in the past, where the DIRD allocates the Service Improvement Program (SIP) funds to districts and provinces, and awaits acquittals from the recipients annually, the Bilum platform allows proof of projects constructed through the SIP funds.

“They stay in Waigani and look at their records to know that these SIP funds went to the districts and provinces, and just wait for the acquittals. But they don’t know if these funds are actually spent on the stated projects or programs in the acquittal reports that they received,” he said.

This follows Nuku in West Sepik and Wabag in Enga province respectively. These districts have tested the digital platform, a cloud-based user-friendly system to implement at the sub-national level.

Member for Wau Waria Marsh Narewec said he accepted the government’s digital platform system that will greatly help his district to upload both financial and physical status implementation reports.

Department of Implementation and Rural Development (DIRD) Secretary, Aihi Vaki, made the announcement, which has been described by Kapavore as a vote of confidence on the district’s effort towards strengthening good governance.

The platform has already been piloted in both the Nuku District of West Sepik Province and the Wabag District of Enga Province, and so far, it has proven to be a success.

The four day consultation and awareness workshop was officially opened by Alotau MP, Ricky Moris, followed by keynote addresses from the Deputy Provincial Administrator - Governance, Sharon Mua. 

The lead government agency- Department of Implementation and Rural Development (DIRD) who holds a significant mandate, in overseeing, monitor and report on the GoPNG rural development intervention programs, in Service Improvement Program (SIP - PSIP & DSIP) and Constitutional Grants for the provinces and districts has developed this Digital Platform.