Emmanuel MAIPE

Department of National Planning and Monitoring Secretary, Mr. Koney Samuel has announced his resignation, concluding a 27-year career in public service, including eight years leading the department.Mr. Samuel, 51, said he was leaving for personal reasons and believed it was time to make way for a new generation of leaders.He began as Acting Secretary in July 2018, succeeding Hakaua Harry, and was appointed Secretary for two consecutive terms: from May 8, 2019, to 2024, and from January 31, 2024, until his resignation this month. He is the department’s longest-serving secretary.“When I first took office as Secretary in 2018, I was ready to take on the challenges of my new role, and I am proud of what we have achieved together over the years,” Mr. Samuel said.During his tenure, the department delivered seven consecutive Capital Investment Budgets and developed the Medium-Term Development Plans III (2018–2022) and IV (2023–2027). Other initiatives included strengthening public investment management, completing Papua New Guinea’s Second Voluntary National Review of progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, improving development cooperation and donor alignment, advancing the Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme, and supporting reforms in the water, sanitation and hygiene sector.Mr. Samuel also advocated for budget support to implement sector reforms and worked to maintain constructive relationships with development partners in support of the country’s development priorities.He acknowledged the support of successive ministers responsible for planning, Richard Maru, the late Sam Basil, Renbo Paita, and current Minister Sir Ano Pala. He also thanked the Marape-Rosso Government, public servants, stakeholders, and development partners for their support.“I believe the time is right for me to step aside and give opportunity to the younger generation of leaders to rise and take charge. I have served my country and people to the best of my ability, and I leave the office with gratitude for the opportunity I have been given to serve,” he said.Mr. Samuel also expressed gratitude to his family and gave thanks to God for strength and guidance throughout his 27 years of public service career.The National Executive Council met on Wednesday, September 30, and appointed DNPM Deputy Secretary for Programming and Monitoring Roger Kara as Acting Secretary.

Prime Minister James Marape has reaffirmed his Government’s objective of securing Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) removal from the dreaded Gray List.However, he said leaving the list must be accompanied by lasting improvements that would prevent the country from returning to it.“Our objective should not be just to get PNG off the grey listing,” he said.Reforms must become part of the normal operation of government, financial institutions, and the wider economy, rather than a temporary response to international monitoring.He warned that economic growth would deliver less benefit to the people if money laundering and the loss of public funds continued.Prime Minister Marape said the shift towards a digital economy should also strengthen the ability to trace transactions and hold those responsible for wrongdoing accountable.The prime minister said this at the closing of the Second Anti-Money Laundering, Counter Terrorist Financing and Counter Proliferation Financing Conference at APEC Haus in Port Moresby yesterday.PNG was formally placed on Grey List on the 13th of February 2026 by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).The action by the FATF stems from the underlying issue that PNG had not made sufficient progress in strengthening its system for preventing and prosecuting money laundering and terrorist financing.

Local farmers in Sogeri in Central province can expect to harvest more climate resilient crops in the future to sustain their livelihoods, thanks to support from Australia.Australia is working with farmers in the Sogeri catchment area to build new skills, strengthen food security and diversify income opportunities.Bobby Anapa, a farmer from Girinumu village is optimistic about the future after harvesting African yams, a first for communities along the Kokoda Track.The introduction of non-traditional crops such as African yam, cassava and Highlands sweet potato, alongside practices such as mulching, is helping communities adapt to changing climate conditions.“It’s the first time I’ve seen a yam grow this large. It’s a first for us all and has motivated us to keep working hard,” said Bobby.“We can already see the potential of this crop to improve food security and sustain us for generations to come,” he added.   For Joanne Goraro, who supports her young family with the money she earns from her garden, this year’s harvest has inspired her to grow more.“This yam is different from the varieties we usually grow, and learning how to plant the yam was a challenge at first,” said Joanne.“I am just so happy with the harvest. Seeing one yam tuber double and even triple in size has really made all our hard work worthwhile,” she added.The PNG-Australia Partnership is supporting communities in Sogeri trial new crops and farming practices to improve food security, increase harvests and boost household income from their gardens.

Prime Minister James Marape has issued a statement commending UN Secretary-General Mr. António Guterres for his definitive, courageous opening speech to the General Debate in New York, United States.Opening the session, Secretary-General Guterres delivered a blunt, historic address warning the world leaders that global "fault lines are widening" and "cracks have become canyons".In a defining moment for his legacy, Guterres zeroed in on climate change as the world's "most profound intergenerational power imbalance" and forcefully declared that global polluters must finally be held accountable and be made to "pay".Responding directly to the UN chief’s address, Prime Minister Marape praised Guterres’ unyielding leadership and stated that PNG and its regional neighbours stand in solidarity with his mandate."Secretary-General Guterres spoke with the raw honesty the world needs," Prime Minister Marape stated."He was entirely right to state that those who hold the largest carbon footprints must pay for the damage their emissions cause. Developing nations and Pacific Island communities continue to suffer the worst consequences of a climate crisis they did not create."“PNG offers its full support to the Secretary-General’s call. We must transition from voluntary aid to mandatory accountability. It is time to make the polluters pay,” he said.

Local livestock farmers in Eastern Highlands Province are being equipped with vital skills and knowledge through training programs aimed at increasing productivity and strengthening the province's growing livestock sector.According to Department of Agriculture and Livestock (DAL)- Livestock Officer in Goroka, Mr. Joshua Jim Muwei, they have a variety of programs to support the different forms to livestock farming.“In the provincial DAL office in Goroka, we have fish program, honeybee, and goat, sheep and cattle programs to train farmers who want to go into livestock farming,” he said.“They are equipped with the knowledge and skills to go raise livestock.”These programs a most vital so to enable farmers to meet the demand for livestock in the province.Mr. Muwei said there is demand domestically for livestock and there is potential to further grow this sector in the province, and also nationally.Going forward, he said the demand for livestock, especially cattle are there and farmers come to the DAL office specifically to buy cattle for their stock. Hence, the proper support from State authorities must be channeled as well to this sector to see it grow further in the Eastern Highlands.

All things chocolate will be on full display in Buin as the famous Chocolate Fest returns for another year in Bougainville.Buin will host the 10th annual Bougainville Chocolate Festival from 23 to 25 September. Australia and NZ are once again happy to support the festival which, bring together cocoa farmers, businesses, industry experts and communities to celebrate Bougainville’s world-renowned cocoa.Cocoa remains one of Bougainville’s most important agricultural commodities and a major source of income for many households.Since its inception in 2016, the Bougainville Chocolate Festival has grown into a major event for the region’s cocoa industry, showcasing the quality of Bougainville cocoa while recognising the farmers, businesses and communities behind its success.The festival also promotes local cocoa enterprises and chocolate products, helping to raise the profile of Bougainville cocoa in national and international markets.Celebrating the theme, “Bougainville Cocoa, Our Pride, Our Future: Promoting Cocoa Excellence, Sustainable Agriculture and Tourism Practices for Inclusive Economic Growth,” the three-day program will feature industry seminars, trade and product displays, chocolate tasting, cultural performances and a cake-baking competition.Local business houses played a key role in sponsoring the festival including Member for South Bougainville, Timothy Masiu who also contributed.The festivities will run from 9 am to 5 pm each day for three-days, with farmers, businesses, communities and visitors are all welcome to attend.The Bougainville Chocolate Festival is an initiative of the Autonomous Bougainville Government, led by the Department of Primary Industries and is supported by the Bougainville Arts, Culture and Tourism Authority in partnership with the Governments of Australia and New Zealand.This partnership reflects a shared commitment to supporting sustainable economic growth and stronger communities across Bougainville.

The news could not have come at a better time, just right after the 51st Independence Anniversary, it has been made known that the Papua LNG is a step closer to its Final Investment Decision (FID).Prime Minister James Marape says Papua New Guinea is entering an important period for Petroleum development, with Papua LNG progressing towards Final Investment Decision (FID).Speaking at Government House in Konedobu in Port Moresby city yesterday following the swearing-in of new Vice-Ministers, Prime Minister Marape said newly appointed Vice-Minister for Petroleum Gidron Maso Karipe would assist Petroleum Minister Jimmy Maladina as Government works with Landowners, Provincial Governments and Project Partners to progress Papua LNG.Marape said Papua LNG has an FID sunset date of 15 December 2026, with Government working to complete outstanding Landowner and Provincial Government processes. He said he had received strong assurances from Project Leadership on progressing the Project towards FID.“I want to thank TotalEnergies, especially the Global CEO, Mr. Patrick Pouyanné, who understood that to cross the line in Papua LNG, synergy between PNG LNG and Papua LNG, and having one unified Project Operator, was important,” Prime Minister Marape said.“ExxonMobil is already operating PNG LNG. If they operate Papua LNG, then the synergy will exist. I think that has moved in a positive way. Fifteenth of December is the sunset clause to the announcement on FID.”The Government recently outlined revised arrangements for Papua LNG, including the pathway towards the December 15 FID target and increased potential PNG Equity. Prime Minister Marape appealed to Landowners and Leaders in Gulf and Central Provinces to work constructively through remaining issues so Agreements could be progressed.“Put your country ahead. See the big picture. If you have any disagreements, then there should be a space to agree to disagree. Put it on the disagreement list. But those that are agreed upon, sign up on.”He said Papua New Guinea had experience from the PNG LNG Development that could help guide negotiations while recognising that Papua LNG had its own circumstances. “The precedent, the structure, the template and the ratio are already there in PNG LNG.“Sometimes human greed suffocates what is good for all of us. Let’s not allow greed to suffocate what is good for all of us, individual or collective. Let’s see the big picture for our country.”Prime Minister Marape said the Project was being advanced at a time of global economic, financing and geopolitical uncertainty, making it important for PNG to secure investment while international capital was available.He said Government wanted Agreements with Landowners and Provinces substantially progressed before November to give the Project Partners the confidence to proceed towards FID and Financing.Prime Minister Marape said the revised arrangements provide PNG with an additional 2.5 per cent Equity opportunity, taking potential total PNG participation in Papua LNG to 25 per cent, alongside other improvements negotiated by the State.He said the Domestic Gas pricing formula had also been reduced from 9 per cent JCC to 5 per cent JCC, which the Government expects to reduce the cost of Domestic Gas supplied for electricity generation.Prime Minister Marape also said changes to PNG LNG Royalty and Development Levy calculations would remove Capital Costs from certain deductions, providing additional benefits to eligible Landowners and Provincial Governments.

The leaders and people of two provinces in the highlands that are hotspots of illegal firearms have been praised by the Prime Minister for their efforts to remove them from their communities, making them safer.Prime Minister James Marape has commended the leaders and people of Hela and Southern Highlands provinces for taking ownership of law and order through the surrender of illegal firearms.Marape particularly commended Southern Highlands Governor William Powi, Hela Governor Hon. Philip Undialu, Minister for Health and Disaster and Emergency Services Dr Billy Joseph, Minister for Immigration William Bando, and Vice-Minister for National Planning Daniel Tindipu for their leadership in supporting the gun surrender programme.He said gun surrender activities taking place in Tari, Hela Province, and Nipa, Southern Highlands Province, showed leaders and communities responding positively to the National Government’s call to remove illegal firearms from communities.“I commend the leaders of the Hela and Southern Highlands for taking the lead and responding to our call for illegal guns to be surrendered,” Prime Minister Marape said.“I also commend our people in these areas who have heeded the call and are voluntarily surrendering their weapons.“This is what we want to see throughout Papua New Guinea — leaders taking responsibility and our people taking ownership of law and order.”Meanwhile, the prime minister has also announced an extension of the gun surrender amnesty to 25th December 2026 to give more time for people still holding on to illegal firearms to hand them over to the authorities.

The next fifty (50) years of good progress in Papua New Guinea (PNG) will be in the hands of the young generation who are now is school, and further advancements in the way education is being delivered is key to seeing them achieving this.Prime Minister James Marape deliberated on this subject when giving his keynote address this morning at the Flag Raising ceremony on Independence Hill in Port Moresby city, marking PNG's 51st Independence Anniversary.He said so much progress has been made in education in terms of lifting its standards over the years since independence in 1975. However, more needs to be done.“Government will continue to invest in schools, colleges, universities, teacher training, classrooms, student accommodations and additional facilities,” said the prime minister."In fact, the biggest priority coming up in the next ten (10) years is quality education, wholesome education for our children. Earmarked 11billion kina just to make wholesome intervention in the education sector so that our future is secured by quality education to our children.” But he said what the National Government is doing in support for education, must be matched by discipline and personal efforts by all young people in schools“Young people, do not wait on your parents, your member of parliament or your government to do everything for you. Use your youthful energy to learn, work and prepare yourself,” said Marape.“Your generation will inherit this country. You must be ready to lead it; you must be ready to work in it. You must be ready work for our country.”“If you’re in school, stay in school. Work and study hard, respect your parents and teachers. Attend classes, read books, use technologies to learn and not to destroy your mind. Do not waist your young life on alcohol, marijuana, pornography, tribal fighting or crime,” he urged the young people.He said even those who are unable to continue their education after their final years, there is still opportunities out there provided by the government like FODE, where young people can continue to pursue their dreams.

The Prime Minister James Marape has announced a balanced budget is on the horizon, stating good economic growth in the past few years since he took office, could possibly lead to one.During last evening’s Prime Minister’s 51st Independence Anniversary Dinner on Independence Hill in Port Moresby city, Marape announced that next year (2027) the government anticipates to deliver a balanced budget for the first time since 2010.A balanced budget is where total income, or revenue equals the total spending or expenditure over a certain period. This differs from a deficit budget where the expenditure is greater than the revenue.Over the past years, the country has been passing annual budgets that are deficit budgets. But this is hoped to change.“Our deficits have been reduced since COVID-19 induced a high deficit of 8.9% in 2020. We have steadily consolidated, right now tracking through the supplementary budget indications at 1% and by next year we intend to come back to a balanced budget,” said the prime minister.“All indicating that we have steadied the ship, steadied the course, growing the economy at the same time and trying our very best to serve our country. And I want to say contribute where you can.”Meanwhile, Marape said the country’s economy has grown significantly from K79billion in 2019 to a K116billion economy. This is a good indication giving him the confidence that the K200billion economy target, can be achieved by 2030 or at the earliest.

The Prime Minister has called on all citizens of Papua New Guinea (PNG) including the public servants, to reflect on the last 50 years and focus on good progresses going forward as the country turns 51.Speaking at the Prime Minister’s 51st Independence Anniversary Dinner on Independence Hill in Port Moresby city last evening, he told the guest and delegates gathered there that the next 50 years of PNG’s life starts now as the country is about to turn 51.“As we step away from our 50th and into our 51st, what is it that we must do to hold the union, and do it even better than those who came before us,” stated the prime minister.In the last few years, a lot has happened; both the triumphs and challenges have set the stage for a clearer focus on things ahead.Prime Minister Marape said the country’s economy has grown significantly from K79billion in 2019 to a whopping K116billion economy at present. Which is a good indication giving him confidence that the K200billion economy target which he had set, is achievable by 2030 or at the earliest.This success so far has been attributed to the good support from partners and the business community, which he paid tribute to.“Despite giving us tax relief, fuel subsidy to the economy and help to the economy, we have doubled up in the collection, and we have doubled up in the expansion of our economy,” he said.“I want to say thank you also to our development partners, all of you. Needless to name you, you know in your hearts how much you have contributed to the effort, in cash and kind. All of you seated here tonight, I appreciate it very much.”He said their unwavering support to the concept of Papua New Guinea that began on the 16th of September 1975, have ensured that the country remains steady and focused on the road ahead.Nevertheless, the road ahead in the next 50 years will be challenging but the prime minister's call is for all Papua New Guineans to stand together, united and work towards further achieving those goals in education, health, rural development, service delivery, development and the overall betterment of the livelihoods of the people. Through a united stand, the next 50 years should be promising for all.Meanwhile, the Prime Minister’s 51st Independence Anniversary Dinner concluded on a high with a spectacular display of fireworks on Independence Hill, lighting up the night sky and the massive PNG flag on the hill.

All BSP legacy Kundu magnetic strip cards have now been deactivated, and card holders are urged to get the more secured Kundu Chip Card.This follows from the successful migration of more than 890,000 BSP customers to the secure Kundu Chip card to further strengthen the security of customers' funds and banking transactions.The Chip Card upgrade provides enhanced protection against card cloning, fraud and unauthorised transactions. BSP Group GM Retail, Ronesh Dayal, said the transition to chip enabled technology represents a significant security enhancement and provides customers with modern banking security standards for their card.“Kundu Chip Cards provide enhanced protection against increasingly sophisticated fraud threats, helping customers bank with greater confidence and security. Over the past 12months, BSP has successfully migrated more than 890,000 customers to the new Kundu Chip Card, making it one of the largest customer security upgrade initiatives undertaken in PNG.”BSP acknowledges that some customers may have experienced longer wait times at branches and Card Centres during the migration period due to the significant volume of upgrades being processed nationwide.“We sincerely thank customers for their patience and understanding throughout this important transition. While some customers may have experienced temporary inconvenience, the long-term benefit is enhancing protection for customer funds and transactions. This migration is a proactive measure designed to reduce fraud risks and provide customers with a safer, more secure banking experience,” Mr. Dayal said.BSP reassures customers that their funds remain safe and secure. The deactivation only affects older Kundu Magnetic Stripe Cards and does not impact customer account balances or ownership of funds.Customers who have not yet upgraded can continue to visit their nearest BSP Branch or designated Card Centre to receive a replacement Kundu Chip Card and restore card-based access to ATM and EFTPoS services.In the meantime, customers can continue accessing their funds through BSP Mobile Banking, Wantok Wallet, Internet Banking, Agent Banking services (where available), branch services,and BSP’s extensive network of 400+ ATMs and 11,000+ EFTPoS devices across Papua New Guinea using their upgraded Kundu Chip Card.“The purpose of this migration is to better protect our customers and their money. This investment in customer security will deliver lasting benefits and greater peace of mind when banking with BSP. While an older Magnetic Stripe Card may no longer work, customers’ accounts remain active, their funds remain safe, and BSP remains ready to assist those who are yet to complete their upgrade,” Mr. Dayal added.