The PNG Times

19/04/2025

Sir. Peter Ipatas is the longest serving Governor for Enga Province and a senior politician in Papua New Guinea.

He elevated his ranks into a parliamentarian from a Local Level Government Village Councillor.

Sir. Peter was recently appointed as the alternative Prime Minister nominee by the Opposition in the recent Vote of No Confidence motion against current Prime Minister James Marape.

He served as a member of Parliament for 29 years and still has the support for his people to pursue another decade of his political leadership.

Sir. Peter initiated the free education policy during his tenure and his province currently have a robust educated human resource in the country.

19/04/2025

Governor for East Sepik Hon. Allan Bird captured by Kange Media while leaving parliament after the recent sitting on Tuesday 15th April 2025.

Allan Bird is the successor to the late Grand Chief Sir. Michael Thomas Somare, the founding father of Papua New Guinea.

18/04/2025

EASTER: A TIME OF REFLECTION, RENEWAL, AND HOPE - WIN BAKRI DAKI

As we celebrate the sacred season of Easter, let us embrace the profound meaning of this occasion. Easter is more than a commemoration; it is a call to reflect on the triumph of love over hate, hope over despair, and life over death. The resurrection of Jesus Christ serves as a testament that, in the face of challenges, light will always conquer darkness.

In this season of renewal, let us come together as one community, united in faith and compassion. Let us embody the principles of forgiveness, kindness, and service, extending a helping hand to those in need and uplifting one another.

This Easter, may we renew our commitment to build a stronger, more harmonious Papua New Guinea, where every individual can thrive in peace and prosperity.

I extend my heartfelt wishes to all the families across our beloved nation. May your homes be filled with love, your hearts with joy, and your spirits with hope.

Let us remember, as Jesus Christ rose for us, we too can rise together stronger, united, and inspired by the infinite grace of God.

Happy Easter, and may God bless Papua New Guinea abundantly.

Hon. Win Bakri Daki
Member for Tambul Nebilyer and Minister for Trade & Commerce

17/04/2025

PM MARAPE: AGRICULTURE REMAINS OUR GOVERNMENT’S KEY FOCUS

Friday 11th April 2025

Lae, Papua New Guinea – In a decisive address at the National Agricultural Industry Public-Private Sector Partnership Conference today, Prime Minister Hon. James Marape, MP, reaffirmed the Government's commitment to prioritizing agriculture as a cornerstone of national development.

This pivotal gathering underscored the Government’s ongoing efforts to enhance agricultural productivity as a means of sustaining economic growth and improving the livelihoods of Papua New Guineans.

Prime Minister Marape highlighted the significance of the agriculture sector, which has been strategically divided into four vital components: the main Agriculture Department, Coffee, Cocoa, and Oil Palm.

This restructuring aims to refine focus and boost the productivity of these subsets, integral to the nation’s economic framework.

“For four consecutive years, we have witnessed a growth of four percent in the non-resource sector,” PM Marape stated.

“This growth is a testament to the effective harnessing of economic activity and productivity that sustains our people.”

The Prime Minister also addressed graduates in attendance, urging them to leverage their education and communal resources to foster agribusiness initiatives.

“With your wealth of knowledge gained from learning institutions, you can utilize your lands and collaborate with your tribal clansmen to drive business success. This is your opportunity to make a profound impact,” he said.

PM Marape committed to taking the insights and outputs from the conference back to his office to form actionable strategies to further advance the agricultural sector.

He referred to the Government’s price support program launched in 2020, and emphasized the critical need for an established policy mechanism, particularly in light of six years without a robust agricultural structure from the Agriculture Department.

“How can we progress without an established policy mechanism?” he challenged.
Despite the visible improvements in infrastructure, PM Marape expressed concern over lagging productivity levels.

Encouraging the agricultural community, he implored stakeholders to take full advantage of recent legislative changes, including the new income tax act, which offers reductions in taxes and enhanced incentives and tariff measures.

“The government is also establishing access to Asian markets, particularly China, and we are actively working with bilateral partners to enhance food security,” Marape added, highlighting the Administration’s efforts to integrate Papua New Guinea’s agricultural sector into the global market.

In conclusion, the Prime Minister reiterated his belief in agriculture as a vital driver for the nation’s economic future and a key element in enhancing food security and community well-being.

The government remains committed to supporting the agriculture sector and its stakeholders, with a focus on ensuring sustainable growth for generations to come.

17/04/2025

Easter Message from Prime Minister Hon. James Marape

| Port Moresby | Easter 2025

Fellow Papua New Guineans,

As we commemorate Easter in this 49th year since our country’s independence, I ask each and every one of us to pause and reflect on the life, sacrifice, and message of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Easter is a sacred reminder of the road to Calvary—a journey Christ took not for Himself, but for the salvation of all mankind. Though He was the Creator and King of the universe, He chose to be born in humility, live a simple life, and walk a lonely road to the Cross for the redemption of our sins. His life and death embody the true heart of leadership: selflessness, love, compassion, and forgiveness.

Today, in a time when our nation stands at a crossroads—divided too often by political toxicity, personal differences, and economic challenges—we must return to those same Christian principles. Christ’s example teaches us to be tolerant, forgiving, loving, and inclusive. These values are not outdated; they are timeless. They are what make us truly human and truly Papua New Guinean.

This Easter, I call on our people to reject division and embrace unity. Our nation needs:
• Unity more than division
• Progress more than regression
• Forgiveness more than hatred
• Hope more than hostility

As we mark this final Easter before our 50th Independence Anniversary, let us come together in a spirit of oneness—caring for each other, carrying one another’s burdens, and collectively carrying the cross of our country. This is not rocket science. This is not impossible. It simply requires a shift in attitude, a return to the heart.

Let me remind us that in Leviticus 25, the Bible declares the 50th year as a Year of Jubilee—a sacred time of reset, restoration, forgiveness, and freedom. According to Scripture, it is a time when debts are forgiven, captives are released, land is returned, and lives are given a fresh start.

Our national 50th year officially begins on 16 September 2025 and ends on 15 September 2026. During this sacred season, the Government will lead a national reset—whether in public service reform, provincial governance, or in our wider effort to take back PNG economically, fight corruption, and restore law and order.

But let me be clear: while government policy can drive institutional reform, the real reset must begin in the heart, mind, and soul of our people.

If all citizens of this country commit to Christian character—being loving, forgiving, hardworking, inclusive, and respectful—we will not just serve ourselves better; we will serve God better, and in doing so, we will build a more united, just, and prosperous Papua New Guinea.

That is the real reset: a reset of our national character—one that embraces Christian values without compromising our diverse cultures and Melanesian identity. By finding unity in our shared Christian foundations, we strengthen the national character that will carry us into the next 49 years with hope and purpose.

Let me also speak from the heart:
If I wasn’t a Christian, I would not be the man I am today.

Christianity has shaped my character to be a forgiving man. It has given me the ability to tolerate differing world views. It has helped me withstand extreme pressures without hate. It has enabled me to look at someone from another cultural group and say: “He or she is my own.”

It is this Christian teaching—deeply embedded in my life—that shapes my leadership and the kind of nation I want all of us to build.

We are all children of God, forgiven by Christ at the Cross of Calvary. And as He forgave us, we too must forgive others, even those who have wronged or offended us. That is how we build peace. That is how we move forward.

When President John F. Kennedy challenged America in 1962 to go to the moon, many doubted it was possible—but they achieved it. When he said in 1961, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country,” he reminded us that nation-building starts with individual action.

So I say to all Papua New Guineans: let us stop waiting for handouts. Let us take responsibility, through our faith, attitudes, and actions, to be part of the reset we want to see.

Going to church every Sunday or Saturday is good—but it is not enough. The true Christian walk must be lived daily, in our relationships, workplaces, politics, and service to others.

That is why the Bible sits in Parliament, and why Christianity is our official national religion—not to divide us, but to unite us around love, humility, and service.

In the wake of recent political events, including the vote of no confidence, I hold no bitterness. To those who opposed me, including those who questioned the presence of the Bible in our nation’s affairs, I say again: You knew not what you were doing, and I forgive you.

As Prime Minister, I lead not only those who support me, but all citizens across every district and province. I respect your views. And in this Easter season, as we prepare for Repentance Month and our Jubilee Year, I urge all of us:

Let us forgive one another, tolerate each other, and live together in peace, unity, and love.

Because that is what the true Lord of our country—Jesus Christ, who died and rose again for all of us—would want each and every one of us to do.

Let this Easter be a time of spiritual renewal and national awakening.And as our nation steps into its 50th year, let it truly be a Year of Jubilee—a year of reset, restoration, and renewed commitment to Christian character and national unity.

God bless you all. God bless Papua New Guinea.

James Marape, MP
Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea

17/04/2025

Member for Hiri Koiari Hon Keith Iduhu has transitioned into a vocal parliamentary from Southern Region on his first term as an MP in Parliament.

Watch his speech during the last Opposition's Press Conference before Vote of No Confidence on Tuesday April 15th 2025.

Speech by member for Hiri Koiari Hon. Keith Iduhu

15/04/2025

Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has overcome the Motion of No Confidence today with a reaffirmation of 89 Votes from Government and coalition partners.

Alternate Government Nominee Grand Chief Sir. Peter Ipatas has recieved 16 Votes.

Voting results announced by the Speaker:
James Marape: 89
Sir. Peter Ipatas: 16

The Pangu Led, Marape-Rosso Government is expected to continue in running and managing the national affairs of Papua New Guinea until 2027.

13/04/2025

Monday 14 April 2025

LINGSTUCKEY CANNOT DENY THE CASH FLOW CRISIS

In his smart-alec response to the cashflow crisis the Treasurer claims there is K4.0 billion cash balance sitting idle in Provinces and Districts. The BPNG Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) statement and minutes (https://www.bankpng.gov.pg/sites/default/files/2025-03/Monetary%20Policy%20Statement%20-%20March%202025.pdf), highlight discrepancies to the Treasurer’s unverifiable claims.

The BPNG MPC statement confirms that Year-to-Date cashflow revenues were only K2.127bn, so why is the Treasurer focused on the purported K4bn cash sitting idle in Provincial and District Trust accounts, rather than worry about disbursements of the K2.127bn in the first quarter of 2025? We are now in the 2025 Budget implementation phase and have completely missed payments in the first quarter because of selective warranting and the Prime Minister’s modus operandi.

The cashflow crisis is real as confirmed by multiple sources. The Department of Finance in their financial instruction No: 08/2024, reduced the payment threshold to K50,000, attributing this to cashflow issues. The Minister for Agriculture Hon Johb Boito is still waiting for his K30 million funding, the Governor for Madang Hon Ramsey Pariwa is asking for the Prime Minister to honour commitments of over K10 million, and PNGDF have unpaid catering bills of K44 million affecting meals for our soldiers. All Districts, Provinces, and Departments have not received funds in the first quarter of 2025.

All this simply confirms that Ling-Stuckey is in denial of the cashflow crisis and is just a stooge trying to please his boss whilst living in a bubble. Ling-Stuckey should try walk the streets of this Richest Black Christian Nation and see how his “selective warranting” has increased poverty and unemployment rather than reduce them.

The Treasurer must stop selectively quoting half-truths from the ADB report. The ADB report provides a bleak outlook for the PNG economy stating: “Power blackouts, security challenges, potential “grey listing”, and the high cost of doing business are further compounded by the escalating trade tensions which impact the outlook.”

The PNG business community is struggling to make payments to their employees and contractors. The FOREX crisis is real and will not go away with such wishful statements by the Treasurer. The BPNG MPC statement clearly contradicts everything the Treasurer states as he tries to create a glossy outlook of the economy but chooses to ignore the stark reality of the cashflow crisis that will cause the 2025 Budget to fail.

In compliance with the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) for expenditure reporting, can this Treasurer print a gazetted list of all monies paid out to all districts, provinces, companies, departments, and programs? The country must see how much money Kavieng district and others have received from the national coffers? Some districts have been receiving K50 to K100 million in funding and Chuave district and Simbu Province have missed out on Budgeted funds because this weak Treasurer fails to comply with the Appropriations Act passed in Parliament.

In his evasive response, the Treasurer did not explain to the country whether he champions selective warranting or not? All MPs know they cannot approach this snobby Treasurer who cannot hold his own under public scrutiny, because if he truly believed in this Marape government and its mumbo jumbo policies, this Treasurer would come and debate me in a public forum and demonstrate his budget mastery and economic wizardry.

The point on selective warranting is important for all MPs to stop the total abuse of public monies and vote out this Prime Minister and his sycophant Treasurer. Selective warranting insulates the Treasurer from not having to follow the Appropriations Act endorsed by Parliament. Section 31(3)-(4) of PFMA 2019 state:

(3) Notwithstanding the issue of a warrant authority, if in his opinion financial exigencies or the public interest so require, the Minister may limit or suspend any expenditure with or without suspension of the authority.

(4) Subject to Section 34, all warrant authorities lapse at the end of the fiscal year in which they were issued.

Section 31(3) gives total discretion to the Treasurer to formulate some kind of “opinion” about who gets paid, how much, and when? This is unconstitutional and illegal.

Section 31(4) means the Treasurer is not accountable for a failed Budget because the fiscal year has lapsed.

MPs will not receive funds from 2024 because this is illegal and breaches the PFMA, Appropriations Act, and section 209 of the Constitution. Therefore, the cashflow crisis will continue and we will see more lies by the Treasury who has no respect for Members of Parliament. A hard reset to the Budget system, without selective warranting, and enforcing equity in distribution is required. This fairness in distribution of national resource cannot happen with a lackey Treasurer like Ling-Stuckey. All MPs must put an end to this systematic corruption and oust the Prime Minister in tomorrow’s VONC.

*ENDS*

Authorised for release by:

Hon. James Nomane, MP
Deputy Leader of the Opposition
Member for Chuave

13/04/2025

CASH FLOW CRISIS WILL CONTINUE UNLESS MARAPE IS DEPOSED

Historic budgets since 2019, highest borrowing of K39.9 billion in 6 years taking the national debt stock to K65.0 billion, IMF taking over our fiscal policy, and a severe cashflow crisis that has resulted in no payments after 1st quarter 2025, affecting districts, provinces, departments, and sectors. This will inevitably lead to 2025 Budget failure as we ignore the truism that money is the lifeblood of progress.

From the failed 2024 Budget, we have over K1.0 billion in floating checks and a total regression in the provinces according to MTDP metrics, the HDI, health, education, and socio-economic indicators. The Prime Minister admitted to New Zealand reporters that 40% of our population are living below the poverty line. Provinces received 30 – 40% of their functional grants in 2024. It is criminal that consecutive budgets have not translated into jobs, world-class social services, safe communities, and business opportunities for our SMEs.

After 6 years, the Prime Minister continues to forget that taxpayers provide tax revenue to fund budgets. Rather than commit to excellence in governance, Marape has been focused on using Treasury like his personal tuckerbox. Today, PNG is overleveraged and in a protracted cashflow crisis, and the IMF have made PNG debt-dependent whilst diluting our economic sovereignty with their failed one-size-fits-all approach to development.

Selective warranting that facilitates pork-barrel politics, crony capitalism, off-budget payments, nil investment, and high deficits is the root cause of the cashflow crisis and the Prime Minister’s modus operandi since 2019. This reduces cash reserves, especially when commitments are not budgeted, and the net effect of this cash paucity is a constricted implementation timeframe that stifles development.

Recently, the Prime Minister gave a K247 million road contract to a Minister of State and paid another dubious international company K110 million for a 3-kilometre contract. The brazen corruption in these two payments underscores the profound sense of entitlement and indignant righteousness Hon James Marape has towards the country. People are creatures of habit. The Prime Minister’s modus operandi facilitates the money grab through the Connect PNG scam and subtly coerces MPs to acquiesce to his whims. The Prime Minister’s modus operandi will not change tomorrow, next week, or next year. MPs must simply oust him.

Any revenue that trickles in through tax collections or additional debt is used for three priority areas: debt repayment, public service salary, and utilities (rent, water, power). This deplorable situation is a consequence of the Prime Minister’s insatiable appetite to spend money.

This cashflow crisis is detrimental to the country because money makes the world go round, and without it, the country will come to a grinding halt. Possible solutions for this this dire situation exist, however, they contradict the modus operandi of this Prime Minister.

Tax reforms, removal of the kakistocracy in Cabinet, safeguarding the independence of the Central Bank, reducing debt and spending wisely, investing in agriculture and tourism, promoting provincial autonomy and block grants, and developing effective relationships with bilaterial partners are some of the actions that would resolve the cashflow crisis.

The sad reality is that any of the above suggestions would be the antithesis of the Marape modus operandi and his mumbo jumbo manifesto that is riddled with cliché and consistent failures. The outcome has been one big crisis after another: fuel, FX, cost of living, youth bulge, law and order, cashflow, the economy, etc. The grave concern for all MPs should be how funding will not reach districts and provinces in a timely manner as per the 2025 Budget.

In summary, we must all stop pretending that everything is fine. All MPs can confirm the struggles of funding the 2025 Budget. With Marape at the helm as Prime Minister, this cashflow crisis will go from bad to worse. The country needs money to function. Yet, the Prime Minister’s modus operandi is focused on starving the country of the money it needs. This is counterproductive to development. As national leaders we must heed the call of the people and oust Marape to save PNG in the upcoming Vote of No Confidence.

*ENDS*

Authorised for release by:

Hon. James Nomane, MP
Deputy Leader of the Opposition
Member for Chuave

10/04/2025

NOMANE, GUARDIAN OF THE CONSTITUTION

Did you know that Hon. James Nomane made history by having the Supreme Court to recall the parliament for the 4th time since independence?

Well he did! Here are the other 3 cases;

1. SC Ref No 4 of 2010, Reference by Morobe Provincial Executives.

2. Po/ye v Zurenuoc (2016) SC2039

3. Application by O'Neill (2020) SC2043

History was written, Hon. James Nomane, MP is the only 1st-term MP to have the Supreme Court recall Parliament for the 4th time since Independence.

09/04/2025

Prime Minister Hon. James Marape was captured amongst Huli Wingmen dancers from Hela Province, while attending MRDC Tourism Convention & Expo at Hilton Hotel today, 9th April 2025 in Port Moresby.

Picture Courtesy of PMs Staff Member

09/04/2025

Prime Minister James Marape will be hosting a Critical Consultative Meeting on Local Level Government Election Preparations with all Provincial Administrators at the Hilton Hotel on Friday 11th April 2025.

09/04/2025

Member for Chuave and Deputy Leader of Opposition Hon. James Nomane clarifies a social media speculation regarding his arrest in Australia.

08/04/2025

Members of the Opposition captured when leaving parliament this morning.

The session was adjourned to Tuesday April 15th to debate the VoNC Motion against Prime Minister James Marape.

Picture: Kange Media

07/04/2025

Deputy Leader of the Opposition appeals to MPs to put the country first.

Media Statement: Monday April 7, 2025

IS Papua New Guinea better off since Honourable James Marape became Prime Minister in 2019? This is the key question that all MPs must ask themselves before the upcoming Vote of No Confidence (VONC) in April. All MPs must put the country first and not limit their focus to districts and provinces.

From 2019 to 2025 the cumulative budget total of the Marape government has been K156.8 billion, comprised of K39.9 billion (25%) debt financing and K116.9 billion (75%) tax revenue. This K39.9 billion debt is the highest incurred by any government since Independence and by the end of 2025 our national debt will reach K65.0 billion. This high level of debt will reduce investment in health and education and put more pressure on loan repayments.

We cannot see the cumulative effect of spending K156.8 billion in 6 years? Where are the notable public investments that are making life better for our people? After spending all this money, Marape has still failed to fix law and order, reduce corruption, create 1 million jobs for our youth, reduce inflation and taxes, or increase commodity exports. The country is not safe, and our public utilities, infrastructure, education and health systems are collapsing. The country’s development is regressing. We are fixated on the extractive industry and have placed our agricultural, marine and forest resources in abeyance. Because taxes fund budgets, what have we got to show for the staggering K156.8 billion in public spending since 2019?

In 2025, we cannot boast or brag about any tangible development, job creation, world-class health and education facilities, foreign direct investment (FDI) or significant public investment because we have misappropriated public funds. In 6 years, we have had no audit by the Auditor General on public spending. So how did we spend K156.8 billion and not solve any of the nation’s problems, but rather, make everything worse?

Today, what is very concerning is how the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has taken over the government’s fiscal policy. Because of an ineffective and compromised Central Bank, our people will suffer from unabated inflation, chronic foreign exchange shortfalls, and business exodus. Unemployment and the price of imported goods like rice and tinned fish, flour and cooking oil will continue to rise. Our young men and women will not have economic opportunities, poverty will increase, and crime will rise.

The government has a severe cashflow crisis symptomatic of poor cash management and budget discipline. After the first quarter of 2025, all districts and provinces have not received over 50% of DSIP or PSIP totaling K550 million (110 MPs x K5.0 million). Yet, almost half this amount, K247 million, was awarded for road contract under the Con-Act PNG scam to a PANGU-owned company using the nefarious mechanism of selective warranting.

Marape has applied selective warranting since 2019, and acts like a dictator when he picks and chooses what MP gets what funding and when. Selective warranting usurps the power of Parliament to pass Budgets and demeans MPs when they must beg for their appropriation and acquiesce to the whims of the ruling PANGU Pati. The Prime Minister forgets that all MPs are equal. In 6 years, we have seen the evolution of a tyrant, who has changed the Constitution and enacted draconian laws to suppress protest, stifle dissent, censor free speech, silence MPs and subjugate their respective mandates, to simply remain in power. PNG is a democracy. We cannot allow Marape to be a dictator under the pretext of “stability”.

The Prime Minister is indecisive, weak, and dishonest. This Prime Minister simply cannot make tough decisions to improve law and order and sack the Police Minister and replace him with a MP from the Highlands region? Why can’t he sack the Police Commissioner for the total breakdown in law and order despite the RPNGC receiving billions of Kina in the budget? We cannot guarantee the safety of our people, and this is reason enough to remove Marape.

Marape continues to be a fanciful globe-trotter putting up a charade. This kind of fakeness must be cringed upon and stopped. The Prime Minister goes to New Zealand for investment talks and yesterday the biggest New Zealand company in PNG, Fletcher Morobe, shuts down its business after 40 years. This is hypocrisy at its best.

All MPs must take ownership to fight corruption, defend the Constitution, enforce collective responsibility, promote equity in resource distribution, and restore common sense, respect, and honor to the office of the Prime Minister. Marape has been weighed in the balance since 2019 and found wanting for the total shemozzle he has created. All MPs must use their powers to remove Marape as the Prime Minister during the April VONC.

*ENDS*

Authorised for release by:

Hon. James Nomane, MP
Deputy Leader of the Opposition
Member for Chuave

02/04/2025

NOTICE OF MESSAGE TO HON. DR BILLY JOSEPH, MINISTER FOR DEFENSE

PNGDF officers came into TWL yard at 2 Mile in Law, held our securities and staff on gun point and destroyed our trucks.

This incident happened due to an accident by one of a Senior PNGDF officer with a TWL staff vehicle. I presume there are laws and processes there to follow as accidents happen every day untimingly.

I therefore condemn this as total madness from law enforcement officers with the following questions.

How could disciplined officers take the law into their own hands?

Who ordered DF officers to attack civilian staff members and company property?

The DF officers responsible must face the full face of the law. They are not worthy of wearing that green uniform belonging to the People of PNG.

We now call for an immediate intervention from the Minister and PNGDF commander.

Larry Andagali
TWL Group

02/04/2025

Prime Minister James Marape says the Pangu led Government will allow the Vote of No Confidence to be entertained on the floor of Parliament come April 8th.

PM Marape says Pangu and it's coalition partners will not challenge the matter in court.

02/04/2025

The president of PNG Law Society Mr. Huberth Namani speaking during the Rule of Law March on Monday 31st March 2025, raising concerns over the manipulation of the constitution by the legislative and executive arm of the government.

Click the link below and watch full video now.

The president of PNG Law Society Mr. Huberth Namani speaking during the Rule of Law March on Monday 31st March 2025, raising concerns over the manipulation o...