Prime Minister Hon. James Marape today announced a comprehensive Human Development and family-centred Reform agenda under the PNG Reset@50 Roadmap, calling it “the most urgent and moral priority for the nation’s next 20 years.”
Confronting the Demographic and Human Development Crisis
The Prime Minister highlighted that PNG’s Human Development Indicators remain among the lowest in the Pacific, with 57% of citizens experiencing multidimensional poverty and alarming rises in child stunting— from 48% to 51% over the last decade. “Human Development is the heart of this Roadmap. We cannot talk about prosperity if our people are uneducated, unhealthy, or cannot access basic services.” he said.
Universal Access to Voluntary Family Planning
One of the Roadmap’s most urgent interventions is a fully-funded national voluntary Family Planning program. PM Marape stated frankly: “Uncontrolled population growth is placing strain on our families and
on the country. It now costs a parent between two to four million Kina to raise one child to adulthood. Young families must make responsible choices.”
The program includes:
– Free Contraception in all Health facilities
– Expanded Midwifery and Community Health Worker coverage
– Church and Civil Society partnerships
– Outreach to rural and remote communities
Bringing Power and Internet to Every Papua New Guinean
The Roadmap identifies universal Electricity and ICT connectivity as transformative social equalizers. PM Marape noted that the Government has already begun reforms to stabilise PNG Power, liberalise Telecommunications markets, and extend Electricity access.
Key components of this include:
– National grid development across economic corridors
– Rural off-grid solar and micro-hydro systems
– Satellite-based internet for remote areas (LEO/MEO)
– Sector governance reforms for PNG Power and Telcos
“Our people must be able to turn on the lights, charge a phone, run a business, connect to school resources online, and participate fully in the modern economy,” he said.
Strengthening Health, Education & Social Protection
PM Marape reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to frontline service delivery, citing improvements in school access, health financing, and early reforms under MTDP IV. But he acknowledged challenges: “We opened our Books for scrutiny because we are not afraid of the truth. We must improve services more consistently.”
The Roadmap calls for:
– Better Maternal Health services
– Prevention of preventable diseases
– Increased Teacher deployment
– Integration of NID into Health and Education systems
Immediate “Quick Wins” to Restore Public Confidence
The Prime Minister highlighted several rapid-impact actions recommended in the Roadmap:
– Stabilising the Budget and closing Revenue leakages
– Fast-tracking Electricity and Internet roll-out
– Cleansing Government Payroll (already underway)
– One-stop shop for Motor Vehicle registration (completed)
– Minimum Wage increase (completed)
“These actions show we are serious about improving everyday life,” he said.
A Social Contract for the Next Generation
The Prime Minister concluded with a passionate call to action: “The Roadmap calls on every Parent, every Church, every School, every Ward and District to contribute to this Human Development reset. Building strong families is the foundation of a strong nation.” He urged national unity behind these Reforms, noting: “Let us be the generation that lifts our children from poverty into opportunity.”