Prime Minister Hon. James Marape expressed admiration for the outstanding leadership of North Wahgi MP Hon. Benjamin Mul during the launch of the North Wahgi Five-Year Development Plan on Thursday, December 21, 2023, before a massive crowd of thousands at Banz.

During the event, Prime Minister Marape announced a substantial commitment of K5 million to the North Wahgi District, along with an additional K2.5 million allocated to the neighboring Jiwaka districts of Anglimp-South Wahgi and Jimi.

Prime Minister Marape commended Hon. Benjamin Mul, stating, “I commend Hon. Benjamin Mul for his strong leadership of North Wahgi. The people of North Wahgi should be proud that they have such a leader as Benjamin Mul.”

Highlighting the tangible impact of the District Services Improvement Programme (DSIP), Prime Minister Marape emphasised that DSIP funds are designated for development and not the private funds of Members of Parliament.

“I want to announce that when the DSIP is seen to be at work, the National Government will match, kina-for-kina. This is especially true for the K5 million earmarked for infrastructure development, which is allocated to all districts. It must also align with the District Plan and focus on National Government priorities such as education, health, infrastructure, law-and-order, and the economic sector,” Prime Minister Marape stated.

He further clarified that for every kina spent by the District Development Authority of Hon. Benjamin Mul, the National Government would match it with another kina. Prime Minister Marape stressed the importance of the District Plan synchronising with the 12 key strategic areas of the Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP) IV.

“This is so that we get to achieve results for our people, for our province, and for our country. I am pleased to come here today and see the DSIP at work and achieving results for the people,” Prime Minister Marape said.