Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to ensuring that the people of Enga Province directly benefit from the new Porgera Mine, and from the nation’s broader economic growth under the reset agenda.
Speaking in Enga today, Prime Minister Marape said the Government’s focus is on growing the national economy so that more resources can flow back to provinces and communities.
“In the first six months of this year alone, Porgera contributed over K500 million in corporate tax,” Prime Minister Marape said. “From that, Enga Provincial Government has already received K48 million, while K96 million for landowners is being kept in trust until the conclusion of the Community Development Agreement (CDA) this month. These benefits are far better than the old arrangements, and they reflect our government’s way of securing more for landowners, provincial governments, and the nation.”
He stressed that the new Porgera arrangements will continue to generate substantial benefits, with another K500 million in corporate tax expected this year, alongside provincial and landowner dividends.
Prime Minister Marape announced he will return to Porgera later this month to outline the different benefit streams that will be delivered. He also endorsed the Porgera policy requiring all businesses operating at the mine to have addresses in Enga Province, but cautioned that lasting benefits require peace and order.
“How can businesses take residence in Enga when we are still engaged in tribal fights?” he asked. “I appeal to our people to lay down arms, protect land and environment, and allow development to take root. The Government is working to strengthen police presence and build more correctional facilities so law and order can be maintained. We want benefits to flow back to our people, but stability is essential.”
The Prime Minister commended Governor Sir Peter Ipatas for his leadership, highlighting major provincial achievements including:
• The Innovative University of Enga, now operational with campuses being developed.
• Enga Provincial Hospital, fully commissioned and set to be fully staffed next year.
• K8 million funding for a new large holding facility at Mukurumanda Correctional Service to support law enforcement.
“Our government has not lost faith in Enga. You are our country’s biggest language group, one province with one language, and we urge you to put politics aside, unite, and take ownership of peace and progress. Resources are no longer the problem – Progeria’s new agreement is the best in the country – but our people must settle down to benefit,” Prime Minister Marae said.
He reaffirmed that Enga’s resource wealth, combined with national and provincial government commitments, places the province at the center of Papua New Guinea’s reset agenda to drive inclusive development.