Former PNG PM O’Neill Accuses Marape Government of Interfering in Key Public Institutions
Former Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has accused the Marape government of deliberately interfering in critical public institutions to access public funds without proper transparency and accountability. In a statement released recently, O’Neill said such actions were promoting corruption and eroding public trust.
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| Former PNG PM O’Neill Accuses Marape Government of Interfering in Key Public Institutions |
O’Neill alleged that the government had shifted its focus from Treasury and Finance to State-Owned Enterprises and other public bodies, including the national oil company Kumul Petroleum and the National Banking Corporation. He also referenced the controversial sale of MVIL shares to the Mineral Resources Development Company (MRDC) as a case of questionable dealings.
According to the former prime minister, these moves disregard the constitutional protections designed to keep political influence out of public institutions. “After every major interference, Marape’s explanations are weak and make no sense,” O’Neill said, adding that the prime minister lacked the commercial experience required to manage key state entities.
He argued that over the past six years, the government had moved from “one Marape-made mistake to another,” marked by broken promises and poor governance. O’Neill further criticised what he described as the administration’s double standard, claiming Marape calls for public officials to face court scrutiny while avoiding the same accountability himself.
O’Neill maintained that past performance was the best indicator of future outcomes, alleging the current administration had repeatedly demonstrated neglect of citizens and destruction of public institutions while “ensuring an absolute commitment to corruption – benefitting a few while the people suffer.”
He called for professionals to be allowed to manage state-owned entities in line with their constitutions approved by Parliament, saying this was the only way to safeguard public trust and institutional integrity.
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