PM’s office relocated to Melanesia Haus

The National Executive Council (NEC) and the Office of the Prime Minister are now located at the just-completed Melanesia Haus in Waigani, Port Moresby.
Prime Minister James Marape, who opened the building after a build-operate-transfer (BOT) arrangement on Monday, said: “It will enable the three arms of Government to be located in very close proximity to each other to enable better coordination and collaboration.”
Marape noted that the new court complex and Parliament, located just opposite Melanesia Haus, provide a geographic triangle with the executive, judiciary, and legislature.
“This setup is designed to enhance their equal and independent functions, thereby uniting them in the spirit of true democracy for a united, strong, and vibrant Papua New Guinea into the future, especially as the country approaches its 50th year of nationhood,” Marape said.
The move, however, has brought sharp criticism from the public who have taken to various social media platforms to ask why the Prime Minister and NEC would want to move from a State-owned building into rented accommodation in difficult financial times.
He revealed that the court complex at Waigani to accommodate the National and Supreme courts would be opened later this year and that Parliament building would also undergo major maintenance work.
“The seat of Government and Parliament for PNG was moved from Konedobu to Waigani in the early years after independence.
“All key government departments and agencies must be centralised in the Waigani area for ease of movement and also for better coordination, and must not be in the CBD area or in residential
or recreational areas,” Marape said.
Chief Secretary Ivan Pomaleu urged public servants in the department and in the Office of the Prime Minister to demonstrate excellence in performance and work ethics in executing their duties and responsibilities as key agents for service delivery in the country.