PRIME Minister James Marape has appealed to Papua New Guineans to stop viewing the Office of the Prime Minister as a source of personal cash handouts and instead take advantage of the many economic opportunities and government support programs available across the country.
The Prime Minister said he has noticed an increasing number of people sending repeated text messages and personal requests for money, believing that he has unlimited personal resources.
“I want to make it very clear that the Office of the Prime Minister is not a money-making machine for individuals, supporters or anyone expecting easy cash. Neither is the Prime Minister a personal bank with endless funds,” Prime Minister Marape said.
“I have always been willing to help people who are genuinely in need whenever I can. However, helping someone once should not create an expectation of continuous financial assistance. I do not encourage a culture of dependency or entitlement.”
Prime Minister Marape said the Government’s role is not to provide endless handouts but to create opportunities that enable Papua New Guineans to become self-reliant.
“Our Government is investing heavily in education by paying school fees for children across the country. We are supporting basic healthcare, expanding opportunities for small and medium enterprises, and providing access to finance through partnerships with institutions such as Mama Bank, the National Development Bank, BSP and other financial institutions.”
He said every district in Papua New Guinea receives District Services Improvement Program (DSIP) funding, with 10 percent specifically allocated to support economic activities and SME development.
“Every citizen has a district treasury, a District Development Authority and a provincial government that can assist with SME startup opportunities. People should be approaching these institutions and taking advantage of the programs already established for them.”
The Prime Minister highlighted the successful SME partnership in Tari, where the Government has worked with Mama Bank to provide startup loans ranging from K300 to K5,000 for families wanting to establish small businesses.
“Beyond that, we have partnered with the National Development Bank for businesses seeking to grow further, while BSP is available to support enterprises ready for the next stage of expansion.”
Prime Minister Marape said Papua New Guinea already has many examples of citizens who built successful businesses through hard work rather than relying on politicians.
“I know a businessman from Tari who started with a small trade store in 1986. Today he owns properties in Cairns, Port Moresby, Lae and elsewhere. I also know a businessman from Pangia who started buying coffee as a young boy in the early 1970s. Today he owns thousands of properties in Papua New Guinea and overseas.”
“These people did not build their success by asking the Prime Minister or politicians for money every week. They worked hard, identified opportunities and built their businesses step by step.”
Prime Minister Marape said it saddens him to receive constant messages asking for personal financial assistance when government policies and programs are already in place to help citizens improve their livelihoods.
“I encourage every Papua New Guinean to stop looking for easy money. Government exists to create the right policies, expand the economy and provide opportunities for our people to participate in economic growth.”
“Our future will not be built through handouts. It will be built through enterprise, innovation, hard work and the determination of our people to create wealth for themselves, their families and our nation.”
Prime Minister Marape reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to supporting entrepreneurship, job creation and inclusive economic growth as Papua New Guinea prepares for its next phase of national development.