Port Moresby, 15 March 2025 — Prime Minister James Marape has initiated a rigorous three-week review of government performance, requiring all ministers and department heads to report on achievements, challenges, and future plans ahead of the upcoming Parliamentary session in March.
“We are not a new government anymore. This is our sixth year in office, and we must be honest about what has been achieved and what still needs to be done. We cannot afford delays—we must move forward with urgency and focus,” Marape said.
The review aims to ensure effective governance aligned with Papua New Guinea’s long-term economic vision, including ambitious targets to grow the economy to K200 billion by 2030 and K3 trillion by 2048.
Prime Minister Marape reaffirmed his commitment to economic transformation through import replacement, export-driven growth, and downstream processing as key drivers for sustainable development.
Key government focus areas include:
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Expanding PNG’s export base while reducing reliance on imports.
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Investing in ICT and green energy to stimulate innovation and sustainability.
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Strengthening agriculture, mining, and fisheries sectors to create jobs and revenue.
Accountability is a central pillar of the review, starting with the Prime Minister’s own department and extending to Treasury, Planning, Finance, and other ministries. Marape emphasized strict performance assessments: “This scrutiny will involve cameras recording every conversation by department heads. I don’t want to carry free riders—I am running, and I want people to run with me, not walk when I am running.”
Ministers and department heads will be evaluated based on their performance over the last two and a half years, with potential restructuring for those who fail to meet expectations. Marape stressed the process is about honesty and progress, not personal targeting.
The review also sets the stage for major reforms in critical areas, including:
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Public service restructuring to boost efficiency.
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Provincial government system reviews to enhance decentralisation.
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Completion of the Bougainville Peace Agreement.
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Resource law and state enterprise reforms.
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Strengthening police, law enforcement, judicial, and parliamentary systems.
As Papua New Guinea marks 50 years of independence, the Prime Minister called for bold leadership from his generation to overcome challenges and chart a prosperous future.
“This government review will lead to a detailed 20-year roadmap to ensure economic growth, stable governance, and national progress from 2025 to 2045, positioning PNG as a developed nation in line with Vision 2050,” Marape said.