Air Niugini Executes First Live Fish Export Flight from Port Moresby to Asia

 Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape has accused former Prime Minister Peter O’Neill of hypocrisy following his criticism of the IMF and the government’s reform efforts, saying the former leader’s claims were rooted in political desperation.

Marape defended his administration’s partnership with the IMF, rejecting O’Neill’s assertion that ongoing funding should be withheld over corruption concerns. “This is coming from someone who plunged PNG into economic turmoil through irresponsible borrowing and secretive financial dealings,” Marape said.

The Prime Minister pointed to what he called O’Neill’s damaging legacy, highlighting the UBS loan scandal, unsustainable foreign debts, and major infrastructure deals that burdened the nation. He said these decisions left the current administration to carry the cost of past mistakes.

Since taking over, Marape said the government has prioritized restoring fiscal credibility, achieving economic growth of over 4% annually, and engaging in reforms with the support of multilateral financial institutions. He added that trust and accountability have returned to the public finance system.

Regarding ICAC, Marape said O’Neill failed to enact it during his term, while his government saw its creation in 2021. He noted that despite challenges, ICAC is operational and backed by the IMF due to the reforms underway.

Marape described the IMF as a credible and thorough institution not swayed by politics. “We work with partners like the IMF because we want reforms—not backroom loans,” he said.

He concluded by stating that his government will remain focused on reform and national recovery, dismissing O’Neill’s criticism as an attempt to rewrite history. “We won’t be sidetracked by political noise,” he said.

Also read

Air Niugini Executes First Live Fish Export Flight from Port Moresby to Asia