Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has issued a blunt and urgent call to Papua New Guinea’s public service to deliver measurable results, warning that the country can no longer afford delays, inefficiency, or a culture of excuses.
Speaking today at the close of the week-long Heads of Departments and Agencies Meeting in Port Moresby, Prime Minister Marape told senior officials that the time for talk was over and the focus must now be on execution, outcomes and accountability.
“We have no time to waste,” the Prime Minister said. “We must walk in haste, without compromising governance, laws and proper process. The message is simple: work, work and work.”
The Prime Minister said Papua New Guinea is now three years into the implementation of the Fourth Medium Term Development Plan (MTDP IV), and results must be clearly demonstrated and reported to Parliament by the end of March 2026.
“By 31 March, every department and agency must report what it has delivered under MTDP IV, within the resources allocated. These reports will go to Ministers, Cabinet and the floor of Parliament so our people know what we have achieved collectively,” he said.
Prime Minister Marape said leadership comes with responsibility, noting that while politicians are often blamed, systemic inefficiencies within the public service continue to hold back national progress.
“We cannot keep doing the same thing over and over and expect different results. That is not reform — that is failure,” he said, adding that the greatest challenge facing the country is not lack of money, but the misuse of time.
Reflecting on Papua New Guinea’s 50th anniversary celebrations in 2025, the Prime Minister said the unity and sacrifice shown by ordinary citizens — many of whom struggle daily — placed a heavy moral obligation on leaders and public servants to deliver.
“Our people rallied behind the flag with hope in their hearts. We must not let that hope down,” he said. He reminded public servants that their roles are permanent and transcend political cycles.
“Politicians come and go, but the public service is perpetual. You are building the country that your children will inherit. Look at them and ask yourself what kind of nation you are leaving behind,” Prime Minister Marape said.
The Prime Minister also announced plans to modernise government systems through the early adoption of artificial intelligence to reduce inefficiency, complacency and corruption.
“AI must be used as a gatekeeper — to check submissions, contracts and decisions against the Constitution, the law, government policy and national plans. This is about removing emotion and discretion where it undermines good governance,” he said.
He further revealed that audits will be undertaken across central agencies, including National Planning, Finance and Treasury, to track how public funds are allocated, spent and delivered on the ground.
“Funds must translate into programmes, and programmes into results. We cannot keep spinning our wheels while our people wait,” he said.
Prime Minister Marape warned that failure to submit delivery reports will trigger legislative changes to enforce accountability at the highest levels of the public service.
“Our people deserve more. I will be held accountable in 2027, and I am prepared to pay that price. I expect the same sense of responsibility from every head of department and agency,” he said.
Quoting from Scripture, the Prime Minister said promotion, reappointment and leadership must be earned through performance.
“You were appointed because you were qualified. Now prove you are worthy — by what you deliver with what you are given,” he said.
He concluded by urging public servants to use the remainder of the MTDP IV period to focus relentlessly on delivery, discipline and national purpose.
“Time is running. Work must matter today. Our children are watching. Let us not fail them,” Prime Minister Marape said.