Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has strongly rejected ongoing political attacks from East Sepik Governor Allan Bird, saying recent statements about Budget allocations are inaccurate, irresponsible, and designed purely to mislead the public for political gain.
Prime Minister Marape expressed disappointment that an educated leader has chosen to “slander” the Budget process while ignoring its clear intentions and legal foundations. Budget allocations are public documents governed by strict processes — not funds that can be used at the Prime Minister’s personal discretion.
He emphasised that all national expenditures are authorised under the Public Finance Management Act, Budget Bills passed by Parliament, and detailed programme workplans developed by agencies, ensuring transparency and accountability across government.
Prime Minister Marape said the Government’s spending priorities remain anchored on the Medium-Term Development Plan IV and recurrent responsibilities such as paying government bills, maintaining services, and clearing long-overdue obligations inherited from past administrations.
Contrary to the claims being spread, the Prime Minister clarified that Item 207 — which has been deliberately misrepresented — is not a personal allocation to the Prime Minister’s Department. Instead, it is a whole-of-government Treasury contingency line used to respond to urgent, unforeseen, and cross-agency national requirements.
“These funds are used to assist provinces when they request help — including Governor Bird’s own province,” Prime Minister Marape said, highlighting the Government’s continuous support to East Sepik over the last several years, including while he served in Opposition.
He noted that contingency spending has never compromised core national services: school fee assistance was released on time, essential hospitals and medicines were funded, and education and law-and-order programmes have continued uninterrupted.
The Prime Minister emphasised that the Government must always be ready for shocks that cannot be predicted in advance but carry high national costs when they occur.
A clear example was Black Wednesday, 10 January 2024, when riots and arson in Port Moresby resulted in major destruction to business houses, public facilities, and essential services. The State continues to carry the financial burden of repairing infrastructure, restoring order, and supporting affected businesses and workers.
“These are not optional costs — they are forced upon Government because of the irresponsible actions of a few who chose destruction over nation-building,” he said. “This is precisely why contingency funds exist — to protect citizens and restore normalcy when disorder strikes.”
Prime Minister Marape further pointed out that 2026 is an election preparation year, and the Government has responsibly allocated K50 million towards National General Election logistics, security, and operational readiness — noting that additional funding will likely be required as planning intensifies nationwide.
He said contingency funds must therefore remain available to support national security operations and unexpected emergencies, including natural disasters, disease outbreaks, and urgent provincial requests. “As Government, we must be prepared — we cannot leave our people vulnerable when the unexpected happens,” the Prime Minister said.
Prime Minister Marape reaffirmed that the National Government’s role goes beyond minor issues — supporting major provincial hospitals, national infrastructure contracts, and emergency responses to disasters such as flooding in East Sepik, Morobe, Chimbu and Western Province last year.
“I will be releasing detailed statistics of all disbursements to provinces and districts since I took office in 2019,” he added, urging leaders to speak based on facts rather than assumptions or exaggerations.
“It is demeaning to reduce national responsibilities to cheap politics,” the Prime Ministersaid. “Leaders should not belittle themselves or their people by twisting facts to score points. Governance demands honesty — especially when the nation relies on us during tough economic times.”
Prime Minister Marape reaffirmed that his government will remain focused on delivering services, stabilising public finances, and honouring long-outstanding commitments — no matter how much political noise is created.