Recommendations for James Marape

DEAR Prime Minister James Marape,
Congratulations on being elected for your fourth consecutive term as Member for Tari Pori and for winning the highest number of seats in the General Election 2022.
I am confident that when Parliament sits tomorrow, you will be re-elected as Prime Minister.
I understand that you will be trying to consolidate your numbers and finalise agreements with coalition partners and independents and crafting a common policy direction, purpose and action plan for the new coalition government.
Recognising the significance of the process that’s taking place, I ask that you consider five recommendations which are critical national issues.

Pick a strong cabinet
PNG needs the most experienced, most qualified and honest leaders to direct and transform the public sector (through the various ministerial portfolios) and to lead the country as members of cabinet.
No excuses!
Our cabinet ministers must have the capacity and knowledge to understand and translate strategic plans into the necessary projects and initiatives and effectively direct and provide oversight to agencies and organisations.

Fix our government agencies and departments
Government agencies, departments and their staff are the core delivery mechanism for service delivery, regulation, economic growth and development.
PNG’s progress depends on the public sector’s effectiveness and efficiency.
I recommend that each minister is tasked to spend the first 12 months in office to fix the agencies and departments that fall under each of their respective ministerial mandates.
The ministers must issue ministerial directives and related KPI’s to head of departments outlining clear targets.

Fix the corrupt and inefficient procurement culture
PNG has been spending over 60 per cent of its annual budget (more than K8 billion) on the procurement of services, infrastructure and goods across the public sector.
Sadly, the country is only receiving about K3 billion worth of services, infrastructure and goods.
There is lack of competitive tendering; money paid to contractors, but no work done; no audits; no monitoring; no contract management and quality management; inexperienced contractors; kick-back culture, etc.
The list goes on.
PNG has recently passed the Procurement Act with implementation following soon after.
However, so much more needs to be done in strengthening the procurement process.
We need strong leadership here.

Porgera, Elk Antelope, Wafi Golpu must start immediately
Please start these projects immediately!
PNG’s annual internal revenue is about K10 billion and that is not enough to fund the annual budget.
No wonder we have an ever-expanding public debt issue at hand.
PNG will need four times the current internal revenue to adequately fund the necessary and critical infrastructure and services in PNG each year.

Prioritise equality of opportunity for rural and remote people
Even after 46 years of independence, there are thousands of people in rural and remote areas around the country that are yet to have access to education, health, and basic services due their remote and difficult locations and the limited reach of government services to those areas.
These people have been neglected and, as a result, for many generations, denied the equality of opportunity to develop socially and determine their own destiny in the modern world.
As a country, we must bow our heads in shame for this gross injustice.
I kindly recommend that your government prioritise equality of opportunity for rural and remote people.
Please prioritise funding for roads and basic services for rural areas during your first 12 months in office.
Where necessary, consider increasing funding for projects by deducting or reallocating DSIP funds from other electorates.
Good road connectivity allows social services to become accessible, thus providing the people equal opportunities to develop and determine their own destiny, regardless of location or upbringing.

Iran Yanda
NCD