Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has underscored the Marape-Rosso Government’s commitment to Transparency, Accountability and the Rule of Law in the management of Public Funds and administration of Government institutions, stressing that no public official is above the law.

Prime Minister Marape made these remarks during Question Time in Parliament today, in response to a Question Without Notice raised by Opposition Leader Hon. James Nomane concerning transparency and accountability in Government administration. The Prime Minister emphasised that the Government remained committed to ensuring that Public Institutions, including Provincial Administrations, operated within established legal frameworks and that allegations of wrongdoing were addressed through appropriate investigative and judicial processes. He said the Government’s position was clear: law enforcement agencies must carry out their responsibilities independently, without political interference, while public officials must respect established legal processes. The Prime Minister stressed the importance of ensuring that justice was administered fairly and impartially, without fear or favour. Referring specifically to concerns involving the administration of Chimbu Province, Prime Minister Marape called on the relevant public official to respect the legal process and cooperate with law enforcement authorities. “If you have nothing to worry about, just show up in Court, go through the process, dispense the warrant of arrest if you’re innocent,” Prime Minister Marape told Parliament.

He emphasised that the interests of the people and the effective functioning of Government institutions must always take precedence over those of any individual. “Chimbu is bigger than any one person, likewise the rest of the country. So, let’s all follow the new processes,” he said. Prime Minister Marape highlighted important Legislative Reforms undertaken by his Government through Amendments to the Organic Law on Provincial Governments and Local-level Governments, which have strengthened the authority of Provincial Governments over their respective administrations. He explained that the Reforms empowered Provincial Governments and Provincial Executive Councils to exercise greater responsibility in overseeing Provincial Administrators and ensuring accountability in the delivery of Government services. “The Provincial Administrators come directly under the watch of Provincial Governments now,” the Prime Minister said. He explained that Provincial Governments now had clearer responsibilities to ensure that their Chief Administrative Officers performed their duties effectively, including overseeing the proper management of Government resources and delivery of services.

The Prime Minister referred to Section 42 of the Organic Law on Provincial Governments and Local-level Governments, highlighting the powers available to Provincial Governments in exercising administrative oversight. “If functions are being delivered or not, Provincial Governments, Section 42 of the Organic Law and Provincial Local Level Government is a wide range of power that you have and your Provincial Administrators are your CEOs running those processes,” he said. Prime Minister Marape further explained that where Provincial Administrators were found unsuitable to continue holding Office under the law, Provincial Governments had the responsibility to initiate appropriate administrative processes.

These processes, he said, involved submitting the necessary recommendations and instruments to the Department of Personnel Management and the Public Services Commission for consideration and appropriate action. He assured Parliament that the National Government would respond promptly when lawful processes were followed. “If a CEO or your Provincial Administrator for this instance is not fit and proper by the operation of law to hold those Offices, it is in your business and interest of your people to make sure that processes are complied with,” he said. The Prime Minister said these Reforms reflected the Government’s broader commitment to decentralisation, institutional accountability and empowering Provincial Governments to take greater ownership of their development priorities.

He noted that strengthening Provincial oversight was particularly important because Provincial Administrations played a central role in implementing Government programmes, managing public resources and delivering essential services to communities. The Marape-Rosso Government has also pursued broader governance and accountability Reforms, including strengthening the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), to improve institutional integrity and combat corruption across the Public Sector. Prime Minister Marape maintained that transparency and accountability must be demonstrated through the proper functioning of institutions, compliance with legislation and respect for independent law enforcement processes. He said effective governance required cooperation between National and Provincial Governments, Public Service Institutions and Law Enforcement agencies. “Police do your job and, of course, the Provincial Government,” the Prime Minister said, reinforcing his call for relevant authorities to discharge their responsibilities in accordance with the law.

Prime Minister Marape reiterated that his Government would continue supporting Reforms that strengthened accountability, improved public administration and ensured Government resources and services benefited the people. He thanked Opposition Leader Hon. James Nomane for raising the important issue, acknowledging Parliament’s role in scrutinising Government administration and promoting accountability. “If we do this, the country is a better place,” Prime Minister Marape concluded.