PNG PM Marape Suspends 70-Plus Public Service Chiefs Nationwide in Reporting Crackdown

A Cabinet-endorsed purge has swept through Papua New Guinea's public sector, with more than 70 agency heads suspended for failing to meet legally required reporting deadlines, Prime Minister James Marape revealed in a statement issued yesterday.

Approved by the National Executive Council on July 22, the crackdown reaches into departments, provincial governments, hospitals, universities, State enterprises and the disciplined forces, targeting any office holder who neglected to submit mandatory annual reports on time.

 PM Marape Suspends 70-Plus Public Service Chiefs Nationwide in PNG Reporting Crackdown

Mr Marape stressed the action would apply uniformly, leaving no room for exceptions based on seniority or influence.

"This decision is non-discriminatory. It does not matter who you are or what position you hold. If your name appears on the list of non-compliant agency heads circulated last week, your suspension takes immediate effect," he said.

The Prime Minister explained the move followed a compliance review that flagged numerous agency heads who missed the March 31 deadline for annual reports, as well as further reporting requirements falling due on June 30.

Examining the 2023 to 2025 reporting years, the review found some officials had made a habit of ignoring the requirement altogether.

"Some of these officers are serial offenders. Some have habitually failed to report on the funds entrusted to them and the administration of their respective organisations," Mr Marape said.

He pointed out that under Section 32 of relevant public finance provisions, agency heads carry direct legal accountability for reporting on public funds and organisational performance under their watch.

Annual reporting, he said, underpins good governance in PNG, since the documents are consolidated nationally, scrutinised by Cabinet, and presented to Parliament, in addition to shaping annual work plans and budget submissions.

"Accountability, transparency and proper reporting are not optional — they are fundamental responsibilities of public sector leadership," Mr Marape said.

He tied the disciplinary sweep to the Government's broader 2026 "Year of Reset" agenda, designed to tighten discipline throughout the Public Service.

Mr Marape said he has directed the Chief Secretary to coordinate with the Department of Personnel Management to enforce the Cabinet decision immediately, appoint acting heads where positions fall vacant, and open investigations into each suspended officer.

Those probes will determine whether employment contract terms were violated and whether harsher penalties, including dismissal, should follow.

He noted that officers able to justify their failure to report would be given the chance to do so during their suspension, but cautioned that accountability would extend beyond agency heads themselves.

"If it is not the head of the organisation, but finance managers, human resource managers or other officers who have failed to perform their responsibilities, then those responsible will also be held accountable," he said.

Universities, provincial administrations and Provincial Health Authorities featured prominently among repeat offenders, according to Mr Marape, who noted that no Government under his seven-year leadership had taken action on this scale before.

"Better late than never," he said. "We have had enough of people failing to report on the work entrusted to them. That culture must end."

As Papua New Guinea heads toward its 51st Independence anniversary, Mr Marape called on all public sector leaders to be ready to account for the resources under their stewardship.

"Leadership is not only about exercising authority; it is about accounting for the resources entrusted to you and the results you deliver," he said.