Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has responded to recent comments made by Ialibu-Pangia MP and former Prime Minister Hon. Peter O’Neill in The National newspaper today, describing them as “misguided and selective” and urging the leader to focus on facts and results rather than political rhetoric.
Prime Minister Marape said that since taking office in May 2019, his Government has worked tirelessly to rebuild the economy, repair the nation’s finances, and redirect public investments to impact ordinary Papua New Guineans — in contrast to the economic and fiscal conditions left behind by the previous administration under Mr. O’Neill.
“Peter O’Neill calling out my performance is like the ‘pot calling the kettle black’. We picked up the country he destroyed, and now we are putting it back on a path of growth. It was a K79 billion economy when we took office in 2019. Despite global crisis and giving so much Tax Relief to businesses and workers, our economy has grown to over K130 billion — adding more than K50 billion in such tough times,” Prime Minister Marape said.
He said the Government’s prudent management and policy interventions have restored investor confidence, unlocked stalled projects, and positioned PNG as a stronger, more resilient economy going into the next decade.
“Ask ADB, IMF, World Bank, Westpac, ANZ, BSP, the Central Bank or even our own superfunds like NASFUND and Nambawan Super — they will all confirm that our economy today is far improved compared to the declining days from 2014 to 2018 when our economy was in recession,” PM Marape said.
TRANSFORMING THE ECONOMY
PM Marape highlighted that under his leadership, key resource projects such as Porgera, Papua LNG, P’nyang, Pasca A, Wafi-Golpu and others have been renegotiated to secure a fairer share of benefits for the State and landowners.
“Unlike in the past, where major resource projects were signed with minimal returns to our people, this Government has made it mandatory that Papua New Guinea gets better equity, better local content, and better long-term value,” he said.
“The days of signing away our resources cheaply are over. Every negotiation we’ve done since 2019 has been about ensuring that our children tomorrow benefit from the wealth beneath our land.”
The Prime Minister said these projects — collectively valued at more than K300 billion in total investment — will create tens of thousands of jobs, boost exports, and strengthen foreign reserves in the years ahead.
BUILDING FOUNDATIONS FOR GROWTH
The Marape Government has also delivered key reforms and infrastructure investments that directly benefit the people, including:
Education: Tuition-Free Education fully restored, with record budget allocations to basic, secondary, and tertiary education. School infrastructure rehabilitation continues nationwide, and top-performing students have been supported through the National STEM Scholarship to study overseas in critical science and engineering fields.
Health: New District Hospitals and Community Health Posts built or upgraded in over 50 districts, including the new East Sepik Provincial Hospital, Enga Provincial Hospital, Boram Hospital, Mendi Provincial Hospital, and major upgrades at Port Moresby General Hospital, where for the first time in PNG’s history, Kidney Transplant and Open-Heart operations were successfully conducted in 2025. A new Cancer facility is also being established and will be fully operational very soon.
“I had said in 2019 that by 2025, we would deliver specialist medical services at Port Moresby General Hospital — and today, we have honoured that commitment. These specialist facilities for Cancer, Kidney, and Heart care are now operational, and similar programs will be rolled out to other major Hospitals throughout the country,” PM Marape said.
Law and Order: Increased funding for Police, Judiciary, and Correctional Services; new Police housing programs; and the strengthening of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) and Judiciary infrastructure.
Infrastructure: Over 6,000 kilometres of roads rehabilitated or constructed since 2019; continued investment in Connect PNG and national Energy grid projects; and major Port upgrades in Lae, Port Moresby, and other regional centres.
SMEs and Agriculture: Establishment of the SME Credit Guarantee Scheme, Agriculture Price Support Program, and concessional financing through the National Development Bank to empower local entrepreneurs and rural farmers.
“These are not empty promises — these are results that can be seen and touched by our people right across the country,” PM Marape said.
ON FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY AND FOREIGN PARTNERSHIPS
Responding to Mr. O’Neill’s comments on debt and foreign assistance, PM Marape clarified that all borrowing under his Government has been transparent, concessional, and directed toward nation-building, unlike previous commercial loans that lacked accountability.
“The debt we are carrying today is being used to build roads, hospitals, classrooms, power lines, and digital infrastructure — not to pay inflated contracts or cover-up wastage,” he said.
He said institutions such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB), and the Australian Government have partnered with PNG under strict conditions of transparency and fiscal discipline — a sign of restored international confidence in PNG’s governance.
“We are not beholden to any foreign power. We are engaging responsibly with global institutions to grow our economy and secure our future. That is called leadership, not dependency,” PM Marape said.
MOVING FORWARD WITH THE 2026 BUDGET
With Parliament scheduled to resume tomorrow (Tuesday, 28 October 2025) for the tabling of the 2026 National Budget, PM Marape said the Government will continue to focus on consolidating growth, reducing debt, and improving service delivery.
“The 2026 Budget will show a clear path to fiscal balance, more investment in rural districts, and continued focus on law and order, health, education, and infrastructure,” he said.
“We are not here to rewrite history or point fingers. We are here to rebuild our country. I respect all leaders, including Mr. O’Neill, but I will let our record and our people’s verdict in 2027 speak for themselves.”
PM Marape reaffirmed his call for unity and constructive leadership, adding:
“Papua New Guinea is not served by negativity. Our people want solutions, not blame. My Government will remain focused on doing what is right — growing the economy, creating jobs, protecting sovereignty, and ensuring no one is left behind.”