Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has announced the imminent launch of the National Monitoring and Coordinating Authority (NMCA) — a transformative oversight mechanism designed to reinforce service delivery, strengthen governance, and ensure accountability across all levels of government.
Speaking ahead of the launch scheduled for next week, Prime Minister Marape said the NMCA forms a critical component of his government’s broader agenda to decentralise power and resources to provinces, districts, and local level governments, while ensuring systems of oversight and compliance remain robust.
“ We will be launching the National Monitoring and Coordinating Authority next week as part of our ongoing transfer of power and resources to provinces and districts,” Prime Minister Marape stated.
“The expectation to deliver is there. We will tighten the system in terms of reporting and compliance — compliance and reporting must be embedded in all levels of government.”
Prime Minister Marape clarified that the NMCA will not directly carry out monitoring, but will engage independent, reputable audit and engineering firms to ensure transparent assessments of development work and project implementation.
“This is about credible oversight. The National Monitoring and Coordinating Authority will contract credible audit firms and engineering firms to carry out due diligence, monitoring, and even investigations into public works and procurement. This is how we restore trust in the system,” he said.
As part of this reform agenda, Prime Minister Marape also outlined plans to digitalise public service recruitment and procurement, ensuring merit-based selection and eliminating political or personal interference.
“I have already directed the Public Service Minister and the Finance Minister to implement an ICT-driven system for all contract procurement and public service appointments. Whether it’s provincial administrators, district CEOs, or public agency heads, the best person must be selected through a transparent, technology-based process,” he said.
“The same applies for contractors — the best contractor must be picked on merit through a smart, digital process, not through backdoor deals.”
He emphasised that these reforms are part of his vision to create a functional, reliable, and ethical system of governance that can deliver results in a country marked by vast diversity and complex service delivery challenges.
“In a land of so much diversity, the system must work. Government agencies must be closer to our people — provinces, districts, and LLGs must be empowered and capacitated to deliver,” the Prime Minister said.
“But empowerment must be matched with responsibility and oversight. That is why this mechanism — the NMCA — is essential to our government’s commitment to ensure maximum delivery of goods and services.”
The National Monitoring and Coordinating Authority will be formally launched next week, with further details to be provided on its structure, implementation schedule, and partnership with external audit and engineering firms.