Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has launched one of the most significant accountability drives in Papua New Guinea’s Public Service, directing that Heads of Government Departments, Statutory Authorities, Constitutional Offices, State-Owned Enterprises, Provincial Administrations, Provincial Health Authorities and other publicly funded institutions who have failed to submit their mandatory annual reports be suspended pending investigation.
In a directive dated 22 July 2026 to the Deputy Prime Minister and all Ministers, Prime Minister Marape instructed Ministers to assess the compliance status of their respective departments and agencies and immediately recommend acting appointments for affected organisations during the suspension period.
The Prime Minister said the action targets a long-standing culture of non-compliance that has weakened accountability across the Public Service.
He stressed that every Head of Department and agency accepted annual reporting obligations upon signing their employment contracts and had been reminded repeatedly over the years through the Chief Secretary’s Office and contractual requirements.
Prime Minister Marape made it clear that while some officers may have genuine reasons for failing to submit reports, each affected officer would be given an opportunity to explain their circumstances before any final disciplinary action is taken.
He also warned that accountability would not stop with departmental heads. Where investigations reveal that finance managers, human resource managers or other responsible officers failed to perform their duties, they too will face disciplinary action.
Expressing concern over the widespread non-compliance, Prime Minister Marape noted that even some of the country’s leading public institutions, including universities, Provincial Administrations and Provincial Health Authorities, had repeatedly failed to meet their statutory reporting obligations.
“This is not a new requirement. Every head of department and agency accepted these reporting obligations when they signed their contracts. They have been reminded year after year, yet many have continued to ignore these responsibilities,” the Prime Minister said.
Describing the initiative as part of his Government’s broader reform agenda, Mr Marape said the exercise is intended to restore integrity, transparency and accountability throughout the Public Service as Papua New Guinea prepares to celebrate 51 years of Independence.
“You must account for the work you have done, the public funds you have managed and the results you have delivered. That is good governance. That is transparency. That is accountability,” he said.
Prime Minister Marape concluded by declaring that the longstanding culture of failing to report on the management of public resources must come to an end.
“2026 is our Year of Reset. Let us get the basics right.”