Chief Secretary to Government, Ivan Pomaleu, OBE has officially launched the Department of Prime Minister & National Executive Council’s Electronic Funds Transfer system, transitioning from manual cheque payments to an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) system.
The launched was held on Friday 12th June 2026 at the Melanesian Haus in Port Moresby.
This landmark transition marks a significant step in modernizing the way the Government conducts business and manages public funds.
The reform follows a directive issued on March 13, 2025, positioning DPMNEC as the first pilot agency to transition away from manual arrangements which was initiated by the Department of Finance.
The move aligns the Public Service with the Modern Standards already practiced by the private sector and the citizens of Papua New Guinea.
Speaking at the launch, Mr. Pomaleu said that the migration to EFT addresses the inherent inefficiencies of the old cheque system, which often caused unnecessary delays for both Government and suppliers due to physical collection, bank queues, and clearance times.
“Government Departments should not expect special treatment simply because we are Government,” Mr Pomaleu stated.
“We must be prepared to operate at the same standard expected of every business and citizen in Papua New Guinea.”
Key Benefits of the EFT Reform:
• Efficiency and Speed: Eliminates delays in cheque issuance, delivery, and clearance.
• Enhanced Security: Reduces risks associated with physical cheque handling through stronger banking controls.
• Transparency and Accountability: Enables real-time transaction tracking and automated audit trails.
• Cost Savings: Reduces expenses related to printing, handling, and storing paper cheques.
• Digital Transformation: Aligns with the Government’s broader “Reset PNG @ 50” agenda and paperless operations.
The Chief Secretary emphasized that the reform is about “paying correctly,” not just paying faster.
To mitigate new risks, such as the integrity of supplier banking information, the Department has implemented rigorous “Know Your Customer” (KYC) controls.
All suppliers are now required to formally declare and verify their bank account details through a strict verification process. Once verified, these details are locked by administrator-level authority to prevent unauthorized changes.
A milestone for PNG’s 50th Anniversary, this initiative directly supports “Big Bet No.10” and “Quick Win No. 41” of the National Development Strategy which enable all Government payments via any bank or mobile platform.”
The Chief Secretary commended the Department of Finance, banking partners, and advisers for transforming this policy into an operational reality.
“Today we are retiring a process of the past and embracing a system fit for a modern public service,” he concluded. “The transition demonstrates that DPMNEC is prepared to lead by example, embrace reform, and hold itself to the same standards expected of the citizens and businesses we serve.”