Mahlon WINSTON

Finance Minister and Kerema MP, Thomas Opa told Parliament yesterday that K80 million had been released for the Papua LNG Development Forum, prompting Opposition Leader James Nomane and East Sepik Governor Allan Bird to demand a detailed account of how the public money was spent.Responding to a question without notice on behalf of the Petroleum Minister, Minister Opa said the National Executive Council had approved a spending ceiling of K112 million for the forum.The funding had been provided to the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) in three tranches: K40 million, K20 million, and a further K20 million about a month earlier.Nomane questioned how much of the funding had been spent overall and how much support had reached the more than 2, 000 landowners he said were connected to the forum.He said the questions were especially pressing amid the El Niño related national crisis and complaints that many opposition MPs had not received their District Services Improvement Program (DSIP) and Provincial Services Improvement Program (PSIP) funds.“Sources tell us that they have received more than 100 million,” Nomane said, referring to the forum, while asking why landowners were reportedly still without allowances for accommodation and meals.He sought clarification on where the money had gone and what assistance participants had received.Minister Opa said about 1, 200 landowners, mainly from Gulf Province and including plant-site landowners, were in Port Moresby for the forum.He described it as a “tier one” process involving negotiations between landowners and state authorities and said most of the negotiations had been agreed on an 80-20 split between Central and Gulf provinces.He added that most landowners had signed, while Gulf landowners had yet to do so.Acknowledging concerns over the amount, Minister Opa said the exercise involved more than payments to landowners.The state’s negotiating team, meeting venues, accommodation, meals, and transport to meeting sites also contributed to the costs.He said participants were being housed across motels and other accommodation in the city, describing the logistics as a costly undertaking.Nomane objected to what he called an understatement of the inequity. He contrasted the K80 million forum expenditure with districts that, he said, had not received K2.5 million in El Niño for assistance despite people facing hardship.He again asked the minister to explain why landowners were reportedly still waiting for accommodation and meal costs to be covered.Governor Bird also challenged the scale of the spending. Dividing K80 million among 1, 200 landowners, he said, would amount to more than K80,000 per person, and he questioned how that figure could be reconciled with reports that participants’ basic costs remained unpaid.Minister Opa stressed that the K80 million was not solely for landowners and reiterated that it had been given to the NPA.He said the authority would need to provide a breakdown after the development forum concluded.The minister’s response confirmed the amount released but did not provide an itemized account of expenditure during the exchange.

The PNG Barramundis are aiming to turn months of preparation into a strong campaign at the ICC Cricket World Cup (CWC) Challenge League in Kenya from October 21 to 31, 2026.Papua New Guinea sit third in Pool A and need a top two finish to strengthen their push towards the Cricket World Cup. The team will have five matches to improve their position, beginning against Jersey.With the team ready to depart on Tuesday 13 October, PNG Hausbung spoke to the team’s head coach Tim McCaskill, who said the boys are focused.“We’re really looking forward to the opportunity ahead. We’ve got five games to put into action what we’ve worked really hard on over the last few months,” McCaskill said.He said the squad was fit, confident and clear about its roles, while acknowledging the challenge of climbing the standings.“We know it’s a tough ask. We’re currently third. We need to try and get up into second place and, to do that, you’ve got to give yourself every chance to win every game. So that’s what we’re looking to do,” the coach said.The opening match against Jersey will offer an early test. McCaskill said the Barramundis would prepare for each opponent with the same focus, treating every match as a demanding contest.“Our aim is to look at the next game as the toughest game we’ve got in the tournament, and make sure we compete with that focus,” he said.The squad includes three changes. Left-arm seamer Sema Kima returns to the programme, bringing swing-bowling options. Young all-rounder Dauncy Tom adds batting depth and another pace-bowling option, while wicketkeeper Doc O’Rupert has earned his opportunity after impressing in training over the past three months.McCaskill said the team’s preparation had been built around a simple message: “Train hard and play easy.”He also highlighted the performances of Tony Ura, Lega Siaka and Sese Bau in the recent Japan series, and said he hoped they could carry that form into the 50-over competition. Captain Assad will be tasked with managing the tempo of matches, both with the bat and through his bowling changes and field placements.With a clear target and five crucial games ahead, McCaskill said the squad was eager to test itself.“Everyone’s in a good place, everyone’s confident, everyone’s fit, everyone’s healthy. We’re really looking forward to seeing what they can do in this tournament,” the confident Coach concluded.

New Ireland Provincial Government has provided K300,000 to help complete a boys’ dormitory at New Hanover High School (NHHS) on Lovongai Island, after the school’s original structure was destroyed by Cyclone Maila in April.Governor Byron Chan presented the cheque to Provincial Executive Council (PEC) Chairman for Primary Industry Ian Kusak. The funding will be deposited into the school’s operating account and used to complete the dormitory.Kusak said the payment was part of the provincial government’s K500,000 commitment to the project. The remaining K200,000 is expected to be released in the coming week.“With the availability of funds, we will see to the completion of the much-needed accommodation infrastructure by the end of October, ensuring that the 2027 academic year has no disruptions due to boarding placements for male pupils,” Kusak said.The assistance is part of the Chan-Kolivos government’s wider investment in education infrastructure across the province.Recently, the Provincial Administration provided K252,000 to Tanir High School on Tanga Island, in Namatanai District, for a classroom complex. The school said the funding would help complete the facility as it prepares to conclude the 2026 academic year.Governor Chan said education remained a priority for his administration. He pointed to the provincial government’s School Fee Subsidy programme for tertiary students, which has delivered ten batches of payments to institutions around the country.The latest payment brings the total investment to more than K2 million, with four further instalments remaining to complete the 2026 academic year’s payments.“Education has always been a priority under the late Sir Julius Chan’s administration. We are carrying on that legacy for the children of greater New Ireland Province, to ensure we have an educated population as we pursue our long-term autonomy agenda,” Chan said.The Governor concluded in saying that continued investment in education was essential to improving learning opportunities for young people and preparing them to contribute to New Ireland’s future development.

Energy Minister Peter N. Isoaimo has welcomed the completion of the 132kV Ramu Transmission System Reinforcement Project in Lae, officially launched by Prime Minister James Marape on Friday, 9 October 2026.The project is designed to improve the reliability of electricity supply to Lae by adding a second transmission circuit alongside the existing Ramu–Lae line. It comprises approximately 137 kilometres of double-circuit line supported by more than 300 towers, running from Singsing in the Markham Valley through Erap to Taraka. The works also include new substations at Singsing and Erap, and rehabilitation of the Taraka substation and Ramu I switchyard.“This project gives Lae a more secure electricity supply. If one line is interrupted, the other can keep power flowing to homes, hospitals, businesses, factories and the port,” Minister Isoaimo said.The Minister thanked the Government and people of Japan and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for their partnership. He also acknowledged the Marape–Rosso Government for continuing to fund the project after the JICA loan period ended in 2023, enabling its completion and technical commissioning.Minister Isoaimo recognized the landowners and communities along the transmission corridor and congratulated PNG Power, the engineers, contractors and local workforce involved in delivering the project.He said the project would support reliable electricity, energy independence, and economic growth. He also called for the new infrastructure to be properly maintained and for electricity connections to be extended to more people.The launch was attended by Prime Minister Marape, International Trade Minister Richard Maru, National Planning Minister Sir Ano Pala, Minister Isoaimo and Morobe provincial leaders.

Electoral Commissioner, Dr Haley has told a parliamentary committee that procurement irregularities, staffing shortages and financial-control problems are putting pressure on preparations for Papua New Guinea’s 2027 National General Election.Appearing before a Special Parliamentary Committee on Friday, October 9, Dr Haley said the Commission had identified issues with logistics contracts for transporting sensitive and non-sensitive election materials. She said the contracts had been placed on hold while the Commission investigated the concerns and considered alternative arrangements.The logistics contracts cover the movement of ballot papers and other election materials. Dr Haley said the Commission was also discussing possible donor support for logistics.She told the committee that ballot papers had been ordered and the first phase of printing was complete. The initial printing, carried out in Australia, included most of the security features. A second phase would begin once the electoral roll was finalized.Dr Haley said the new security measures were intended to make the supply and distribution of ballot papers easier to audit and to help identify counterfeit papers.“The ballot boxes had also been ordered, with the first shipment already delivered. India had pledged support for the supply of indelible ink,” she said.Committee members raised concerns about the procurement process and asked whether irregularities had affected preparations for the 2027 election.Dr Haley said the Commission had identified problems in current logistics arrangements and was working to address them.She also outlined findings from an internal audit of wage payments made through the KunduPay system between January and April. According to Dr Haley, K4.9 million had been transferred for casual and temporary election workers, but less than K1 million had been spent on what the audit identified as legitimate wages.She said the remaining funds had gone to senior Commission leaders and non-budgeted expenses.Dr Haley further described the findings as serious legacy issues and said the Commission was working with the Chief Secretary’s office to audit its staffing structure and financial practices.The Commission is also facing significant vacancies. Dr Haley told the committee that 33 of its 105 established positions were vacant, while more than a dozen officers had passed the compulsory retirement age. Several of those officers were election managers in provincial offices.She said the Commission was considering succession planning, moving experienced staff into vacant roles and seconding personnel from other government agencies. The Commission would also need to reconstitute its Special Procurement Committee after the suspension of its chair and finance director, she said.The committee pressed Dr Haley on the time available to resolve the issues, noting that election preparations were already under pressure. She acknowledged the scale of the work and said the Commission was moving urgently to fill staffing gaps, restore financial controls and progress outstanding procurement.Dr. Haley said the 2027 election would continue to use paper ballots, while the Commission worked to strengthen the systems and safeguards needed to deliver it.

Papua New Guinea’s Electoral Commission is working with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to give voters new ways to check and update their enrolment ahead of the 2027 National General Election.Electoral Commissioner Dr. Nicole Haley told a Special Parliamentary Committee hearing on Friday, October 9, that the Commission’s provincial application had been restored after its data was migrated to DICT’s government-hosted digital infrastructure.The migration, completed within the previous 48 hours, had enabled provincial roll-update data to be entered into the electoral roll, Dr. Haley said. Some updates had already begun using paper forms, but the data could not be entered into the system while the application was offline.Dr Haley said the Commission hoped to introduce an enrolment service through the government’s Service Pass or Service Wallet by the end of October. Voters would be able to check and claim their enrolment, add facial biometrics, enroll if missing from the roll, or request a transfer if listed in the wrong ward.A separate electoral roll look-up service would also be available for people who only wanted to check their enrolment, Dr. Haley said. Use of the Service Pass would be voluntary for the public, although public servants were required to register by October 31.The Commissioner said the digital service could issue an enrolment credential with a QR code showing a voter’s enrolment details. The Commission also planned to display the roll for public checking, objections and supplementary enrolments early next year, potentially with voter photographs.However, Dr. Haley said the 2027 election would remain paper based. Biometric identification at polling stations and electronic voting were not planned for the coming election, although the new system could support further development in future.Committee members questioned how voters without smartphones or internet access would be included.Dr Haley said the application was being designed with offline and agent functions, and the Commission had purchased Starlink devices to improve connectivity at provincial election offices.She also said the Commission was planning a public awareness campaign with DICT, government departments, private-sector organizations, and civil society groups.East Sepik Governor Allan Bird, who chaired the hearing, cautioned the Commission against relying on candidates to help reach remote communities, saying election systems should be delivered by a capable and independent institution.Dr Haley agreed that the Commission had a responsibility to lead the awareness effort. She said the new tools were intended to give citizens greater control over their own enrolment and reduce reliance on intermediaries.

The Tainaladeara community in Vabukori, Port Moresby, successfully hosted the grand finals of the JT Independence Tournament on Saturday, October 10, 2026, bringing together local teams and rising athletes for a premier showcase of grassroots sports development.The flagship event was officially launched by Moresby South MP and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Justin Tkatchenko, who commended the tournament organizers and the Tainaladeara community for spearheading positive, unifying civic activities.Minister Tkatchenko praised the initiative for providing a crucial platform for youth to demonstrate their athletic capabilities while fostering teamwork, discipline, and healthy engagement. He emphasized the vital role community-led sports play in identifying and nurturing emerging talents who aspire to transition into elite, competitive structures.The tournament featured grand final matches in netball and volleyball, with teams competing across several divisions, including Under-13, Under-15, Under-17, Under-21, Open and Masters categories in netball, and Under-13, Under-17, Under-21 and Open divisions in volleyball.In netball, Hillside claimed the Under-13 championship, while Taurake won the Under-15 and Under-17 titles.Bogi secured the Under-21 championship, while Taurake won the Open 1 division. Lore Miri claimed the Open 2 title, and Hillside finished as champions in the Masters division. The results highlighted the competitive performances of the participating teams and the depth of talent across the different age groups.In volleyball, Lore Miri secured the Under-13 and Under-17 championships, while Lairi claimed the Under-21 title. Taurake emerged as champions in the Open division, completing the tournament's volleyball competition.The grand finals provided an opportunity for participating teams to demonstrate their skills, discipline, and teamwork while promoting greater community participation in sports.Building on the success of the weekend, Minister Tkatchenko pledged his official support for the community’s upcoming Christmas Games scheduled for December 2026. The tournament concluded safely, reinforcing Tainaladeara's ongoing commitment to building a positive sporting culture and driving local youth development.

The Papua New Guinea Tamil Sanggam Association (PNGTS) has donated 10 wheelchairs and essential supplies valued at K30,000 to the Children’s Cancer Ward at Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH).The donation drive, held during a community outreach event, coincided with Pinktober—a global monthly campaign dedicated to raising cancer awareness. The initiative was generously supported by corporate sponsors LJ Hooker and Niupower, providing much-needed comfort items for both young patients and their guardians.PNGTS Secretary J. Padmanabhan emphasized that community service remains central to the association’s core mission, alongside promoting Tamil culture and fostering community unity.“Our primary motive is to give back to Papua New Guinea. We have received so much from this country, and it is our responsibility to reciprocate,” Mr. Padmanabhan said.PMGH Director of Medical Services, Dr. Kone Sobi, expressed deep gratitude to PNGTS, highlighting the association's consistent support for the hospital since 2018.“While items like wheelchairs may seem basic, they play a critical role in meeting the daily mobility needs of our patients as they undergo medical treatment,” Dr. Sobi noted. “On behalf of the PMGH Board, management, and staff, I thank the Tamil Sanggam and its sponsors, LJ Hooker and Niupower, for their ongoing support. We look forward to continued collaboration.”LJ Hooker Chairman Karan Rana said the company was humbled and honored to support families in need and contribute to a healthier society. In a further show of support, Mr. Rana announced that LJ Hooker will donate K25,000 through PNGTS toward this year’s Christmas celebrations for the Children’s Cancer Ward.This donation adds to PNGTS’s growing track record of health-focused philanthropy. In 2024, the association hosted a medical camp in Papa Village that treated nearly 400 people and provided prescription glasses to over 100 residents. PNGTS also organizes annual blood donation drives, which have previously earned official recognition from PMGH.Closing the event, PNGTS Vice President Dr. Suresh Babu thanked the hospital’s medical team, sponsors, and volunteers, paying special tribute to the patience and compassion exhibited daily by healthcare workers.PNGTS reaffirmed its commitment to continuing its community service portfolio at PMGH and across other civic sectors nationwide.

Deputy Prime Minister and Lae MP Hon. John Rosso returned to Passam National School of Excellence on Thursday, October 8, 2026, delivering a powerful charge to 231 graduating Grade 12 students to build their futures on the foundations of character, discipline, and national unity.Serving as the Guest of Honour for the school's 44th Annual Grade 12 Graduation and fifth Grade 12 STEM Graduation, Rosso's visit marked an emotional homecoming 42 years after he attended the institution as a student in 1983 and 1984.To mark the milestone, the Deputy Prime Minister delivered substantial infrastructure support, including a K500,000 donation for ongoing school development projects, the official opening of a new K1 million Mathematics Block funded through his office, and the handover of a brand-new 26-seater school bus."Coming back to Wewak is like coming back home," Deputy Prime Minister Rosso stated. "As a teenager who arrived here in Passam in 1983 to 1984 and till now we see another crop of students graduating.”“I would like to say a very big thank you [to the traditional landowners] for looking after all of us who have attended this school."Addressing the graduates, he urged them to carry Passam’s values into further education, employment and public life, highlighting respect, perseverance, attitude, and hard work.“There’s no point demanding respect when you don’t offer respect to other people," Rosso told the graduates. "The only secret to success is your attitude, respect one another, perseverance and hard work.”Invoking the school's traditional motto, "Nuo Yekende, M’Ne Yekende" (respect others and respect yourself), he challenged the students to choose their peers wisely and protect their integrity. He also highlighted the historical role of National Schools of Excellence as essential pillars of national integration.“You have to bring people from all cultural backgrounds, put them into an institution, teach them and get them ready to build the nation. It was a unification factor,” Rosso added.The Deputy Prime Minister extended formal appreciation to the traditional landowners of Passam and Paliama for hosting the institution since 1979. He also credited Principal Samson Pitiki, the teaching staff, the governing council, East Sepik Governor Allan Bird, and the provincial administration for their shared vision in maintaining the school's legacy of excellence.The graduation ceremony was attended by a high-level delegation of dignitaries, including Wewak MP Stanley Samban and West Sepik Governor Tony Wouwou.

Papua New Guinea (PNG) is taking steps towards developing a National Men and Boys Engagement in Gender Equality Strategy aimed at strengthening the role of men and boys as active partners in promoting gender equality and addressing persistent social challenges, including gender-based violence.A three-day regional consultation which started on Wednesday and ending today at Hilton Hotel in Port Moresby, brought together participants representing the Momase, Highlands and Southern regions.The initiative facilitated by the Office for the Development of Women (ODW), supported by the UN Women and PNG-AUS Partnership has brought together government representatives, traditional and community leaders, faith-based organisations and other stakeholders to develop a national strategic framework that encourages men and boys to work alongside women, families, communities and institutions in advancing gender equality.According to a Regional Consultations Concept Note prepared by the Office for the Development of Women (ODW), the proposed strategy seeks to translate existing national gender equality commitments into practical actions that address inequalities affecting women and girls across the country.The concept note identifies unequal access to education, employment and decision-making, as well as high rates of gender-based violence, as continuing challenges facing Papua New Guinea.While the country has established policy frameworks, including the Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment Policy and the Gender Equity and Social Inclusion Policy, the document highlights the need for stronger engagement of men and boys to ensure these commitments are implemented effectively.The strategy is intended to provide a coordinated approach to changing harmful attitudes and behaviours, strengthening community participation and promoting shared responsibility for achieving gender equality.The Regional Consultations follow a Men's Forum on Gender Equality convened in August 2025, which helped establish the initial framework for engaging men and boys in promoting gender equality.The office is also preparing for a regional gathering planned for July 2027, when Pacific Island countries are expected to attend.The consultations will therefore provide an opportunity for stakeholders to consolidate the work already undertaken and develop a strategy that reflects the realities of communities throughout Papua New Guinea.The primary purpose of the consultations is to co-develop a Men and Boys Engagement in Gender Equality Strategy that strengthens men's role as active partners in advancing gender equality.The proposed approach recognises that achieving meaningful change requires the involvement of men and boys alongside women and girls, rather than treating gender equality as an issue for women alone.The strategy is expected to identify practical ways to encourage positive male leadership within families, communities, churches, educational institutions and government organisations.It will also examine the social and cultural factors that contribute to harmful forms of masculinity and the barriers preventing men and boys from participating constructively in gender equality initiatives.Through the consultations, participants will review lessons, challenges and opportunities identified during the previous Men's Forum and determine how these can inform the development of a more effective national framework.The process will also consider how the strategy can be grounded in family values, cultural traditions and community realities while remaining consistent with national policies and international commitments.The concept note outlines five major objectives to guide the consultations and the development of the strategy.The first is to reflect on the outcomes of the Men's Forum on Gender Equality and consolidate the lessons, challenges and opportunities identified during the initial discussions.The second is to validate the proposed framework's key pillars, including family-centred approaches, culturally grounded interventions, community and institutional engagement, and alignment with government policies.The third objective is to define strategic priorities focusing on youth, education, leadership, faith partnerships, capacity-building and governance.The fourth is to jointly develop a draft strategic roadmap outlining objectives, proposed interventions and accountability mechanisms to guide implementation.The fifth is to establish stronger regional networks and secure commitments from stakeholders to support the implementation of the strategy.These objectives are intended to ensure that the final framework moves beyond policy discussions and provides a clear direction for action at national, provincial and community levels.The consultations are expected to produce several key outcomes that will guide the strategy's implementation.These include a shared vision of the role men and boys should play in advancing gender equality, a draft framework with validated pillars and strategic priorities, and a strategy roadmap supported by proposed interventions and accountability mechanisms.Participants are also expected to strengthen partnerships across government agencies, civil society organisations, churches, youth groups and development partners.Another anticipated outcome is the establishment of a network of male champions across different sectors and provinces who can promote positive attitudes, challenge harmful practices and encourage greater participation by men and boys in gender equality initiatives.Such networks could provide a platform for sharing experiences, coordinating activities and encouraging local leadership in addressing gender-related challenges.The development of accountability mechanisms will also be important in ensuring that commitments made during the consultations translate into measurable progress.The consultations will use participatory and activity-based methods designed to encourage collective ownership of the proposed strategy.One of the methods will be problem-tree analysis, which will help participants identify the root causes of harmful masculinities and the barriers that prevent progress towards gender equality.World Café discussions will provide opportunities for stakeholders to examine and validate the proposed framework's pillars and strategic priorities.Group work and action planning will then be used to develop strategic pathways, proposed interventions and accountability mechanisms.The process will conclude with a plenary session to consider and adopt the draft roadmap.This approach is intended to ensure that participants contribute directly to shaping the strategy and that the resulting framework reflects a broad range of experiences and perspectives.The proposed strategy is expected to align with Papua New Guinea's national development priorities and its international commitments to gender equality and social inclusion.The concept note specifically identifies the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the Beijing Platform for Action and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as important reference points.The relevant Sustainable Development Goals include Goal 5 on gender equality, Goal 10 on reducing inequalities and Goal 16 on peace, justice and strong institutions.Alignment with these frameworks is intended to ensure that Papua New Guinea's approach to engaging men and boys contributes to wider efforts to eliminate discrimination, strengthen inclusive institutions and promote equal opportunities.The strategy will also need to reflect the country's social and cultural context to ensure that proposed interventions are practical, relevant and capable of being implemented across diverse communities.The development of the National Men and Boys Engagement in Gender Equality Strategy represents an opportunity to strengthen collaboration between government, communities and other stakeholders in addressing persistent gender inequalities.However, the effectiveness of the strategy will ultimately depend on how its recommendations are translated into action, supported by adequate resources and monitored through clear accountability arrangements.The proposed roadmap is expected to provide direction for interventions, partnerships and implementation responsibilities, while the establishment of male champions across provinces could help sustain community engagement.By encouraging men and boys to take a more active role in promoting respectful relationships, supporting women's participation and challenging harmful social attitudes, the strategy aims to build a stronger foundation for gender equality in Papua New Guinea.The three-day regional consultations in Port Moresby are expected to help consolidate the existing framework and establish a shared direction for the country's next phase of work on engaging men and boys.The broader objective is to ensure that men and boys become constructive partners in creating safer families, stronger communities and a more equal society for women, men, girls and boys throughout Papua New Guinea.

Petroleum Minister Jimmy Maladina says Papua LNG must deliver lasting and visible benefits to landowners and communities, as well as provide certainty for the project to proceed.Speaking before the signing of the project’s Tier 1 Benefit Sharing Agreement, Maladina described the agreement as an important milestone and called on the Government, provincial administrations, landowners and project partners to work together in trust and transparency.He said landowners must be genuine participants and beneficiaries, with project benefits clearly identified, transparently managed and fairly distributed.“Their expectations include better services, opportunities for young people, access to employment and business, and a fair share of the project’s benefits,” he said.Maladina said the project’s success should be judged not only by gas exports or revenue, but by improvements to people’s lives. He identified royalties, development levies, equity participation, infrastructure, business development, employment and training as key benefit streams.He urged that royalties and levies support essential services such as schools, health care, roads and water supply. Equity arrangements, he said, should provide eligible beneficiaries with meaningful long-term interests and be backed by sound governance.“Infrastructure commitments must result in completed and maintained projects, while business support should help build capable Papua New Guinean enterprises,” Maladina said.The minister also called for greater participation by Papua New Guinean workers and businesses. Where skills gaps exist, he said, the project should support training, apprenticeships, and technical education. Local companies should have meaningful procurement and contracting opportunities when they meet commercial, technical, and safety requirements.Maladina stressed that signing the Tier 1 agreement was not the end of the forum process. Negotiations on Tiers 2 to 5 were expected to continue through October, with the aim of concluding them in early November.“I urged all parties to negotiate in good faith and resolve differences through dialogue, verified information and respect for the agreed process,” Minister Maladina encourages.He said the Government had a responsibility to ensure that commitments made during the development forum were implemented, particularly in Gulf and Central provinces.Ultimately, he said, communities would judge the agreements by whether benefits reached legitimate recipients and translated into completed projects, sustainable businesses, jobs and training.Maladina thanked landowner leaders, provincial governments, ExxonMobil and other project partners, government agencies, facilitators, technical teams and advisers.He called for the remaining negotiations to proceed constructively so Papua LNG could become an example of responsible resource development that respects investors, strengthens provinces and benefits landowners and future generations.

Gulf and Central provinces have agreed to an 80:20 split of Tier One benefits from the Papua LNG Project, following more than two weeks of contentious negotiations. The official agreement signing took place yesterday at the APEC Haus in Port Moresby city between both parties from the Gulf Provincial Government and Central Provincial Government, witnessed by the Ministers for Petroleum Jimmy Maladina, National Petroleum Authority, the State Negotiation Team and Landowners from both provinces.The signing party from Central includes Governor Rufina Peter, Hiri-Koiari MP and Deputy Opposition Leader – Keith Iduhu, Kairuku MP and Minister for Energy Peter N. Isoaimo, and LLG Presidents of the impacted areas.The Gulf team was led by Acting Governor Morris Taudevin, Kerema MP and Finance Minster – Thomas Opa, Kikori MP and Minister for DPLGA – Soroi Eoe and the impacted area LLG Presidents.Under the arrangement, Gulf Province, as the host of the project’s wellheads, would receive 80 per cent of the benefits, while Central Province would receive 20 per cent in recognition of its downstream role and the processing and infrastructure facilities associated with the project.The benefits package is estimated at K6.606 billion and includes royalties, development funding, infrastructure, business opportunities and equity participation.The negotiations were contentious. Gulf rejected the State’s initial 70:30 director’s proposal and sought a 95 per cent share. Central, arguing that its downstream facilities made it a vital project partner, sought a 60:40 or 65:35 split. The provinces are understood to have reached the 80:20 formula after 11 days of formal talks and further discussions.To help bridge the gap, Prime Minister James Marape and the National Government committed an additional K1.2 billion through Tax Credit Scheme projects, according to information from the negotiations. The Government also offered business development and infrastructure support, as well as additional equity-related benefits.The equity component could give provincial governments and landowners a stake in the project’s long-term commercial returns, in addition to grants and development funding.The Tier One negotiations followed the Papua LNG Development Forum process, which began in June and was officially launched by Marape at APEC Haus on July 9, 2026.Consultations and discussions on the Directors’ Proposal continued through July and August, before formal negotiations between the provinces began in late September.The reported agreement is a significant step for Papua LNG, which is targeting a Final Investment Decision (FID) by December 15, 2026. It also clears the way for remaining benefit-sharing arrangements to progress.Papua LNG is expected to be one of Papua New Guinea’s largest resource investments, with billions of kinas in benefits projected over its operating life.The next challenge for Gulf and Central will be turning the agreed package into infrastructure, jobs, local business opportunities and improved services for affected communities.