K92 Mining Boosts PNG Economy with Major Tax Contributions

 Prime Minister James Marape has called on Papua New Guinea’s public servants to raise their level of performance and accountability, revealing that less than 1.5 percent of the national population is consuming nearly a quarter of the annual budget through wages and entitlements.

The Prime Minister made the remarks in Parliament during his response to the 2023–2024 Public Service Report tabled by Public Service Minister Joe Sungi. Marape disclosed that the public service payroll costs the country K240 million every fortnight—amounting to more than K5 billion annually, which is nearly 25 percent of the K28 billion national budget.

PNG PM Marape Urges Public Servants to Improve Performance and Accountability [Government Photo]

Marape said that although the government continues to prioritise public sector remuneration, public servants must reciprocate with improved service delivery. “At 50 years of independence, this small group of Papua New Guineans must look within, as we all look upward. They must ask: are we delivering value for the money we receive from the people of this country?” he stated.

He acknowledged the dedication of public servants working in rural and remote areas but said systemic reforms are being implemented to improve efficiency and accountability. Among those reforms is the clearing of retirement backlogs—K211 million has been paid to 3,635 retirees since 2019, many of whom had remained on payroll for years while awaiting formal exit.

Marape also confirmed that more than K200 million in unpaid superannuation contributions had been settled in recent years, addressing another long-standing liability in the public sector. He reiterated the Government’s commitment to digitising recruitment through a merit-based, online system to ensure transparency and fairness.

“All public service positions will be advertised online, and applications lodged electronically,” he said. “It will be merit-based—your background, religion, or gender will not matter. What will matter is whether you are qualified.”

The Prime Minister urged all Members of Parliament and senior public servants to study the 2023–2024 Public Service Report, describing it as a critical document for reform and future planning. He commended Minister Sungi for presenting the report and reaffirmed his government’s commitment to restoring the public service as the “frontline engine of development” in PNG.

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K92 Mining Boosts PNG Economy with Major Tax Contributions