The Lae City Authority in Papua New Guinea has finally begun operating.
Lae city, Papua New Guinea. Photo: RNZ / Johnny Blades
According to the newspaper The National, the administrative authority in PNG's second biggest city was enshrined in legislation passed three years ago by the Peter O'Neill-led government.
He was in Lae yesterday to endorse the establishment of the authority as the municipal services delivery mechanism.
According to Mr O'Neill, it's been set up to instil confidence in the business community and ratepayers in the nation's industrial hub.
Mr O'Neill witnessed the swearing in of the 12 members of the board chaired by Lae MP John Rosso.
He assured them of Government's support for the body to have "a teeth to bite".
He said the establishment of the authority was for the expansion of the city taking into consideration significant upcoming projects.
These include the Wafi-Golpu mine, the Lae wharf expansion and the Nadzab Airport development.
