The future of Papua New Guinea ultimately rests on its public servants, leadership class, and everyday citizens working together with shared purpose, discipline, and a collective commitment to the country’s development. Concluding a major address, Prime Minister James Marape stated that nation-building is not the responsibility of one person, one government, one party, or one sector of the economy.
Speaking at the People’s Party fundraising dinner at the Stanley Hotel in Port Moresby, Marape challenged citizens to shift their fierce loyalty away from sporting teams, like State of Origin’s Maroons and Blues and redirect it toward building a people-focused political culture.
While sporting teams bring passion, he said, they do not build roads, improve hospitals, create jobs, or grow the economy. Political institutions must exist as deliberate vehicles to improve the daily lives of ordinary citizens, emphasizing that support should be given to parties based on policies, commitment, and integrity.
Political stability is a prerequisite for human development, rather than a reward for politicians.
Citing the legacy of late former Prime Minister Sir Mekere Morauta, Marape said that structural stability enables a government to keep its focus entirely on national progress and local service delivery.
Turning to political partnerships, the Prime Minister commended coalition partner People’s Party because its core pillars education, law and order, and anti-corruption align closely with the PANGU-led coalition’s people-first agenda. He paid special tribute to Enga Governor and party founder Sir Peter Ipatas, stating that Sir Peter’s decades of leadership demonstrate how consistent service translates directly into positive development outcomes for local communities.
In addressing the nation’s financial status, Marape highlighted the expansion of Papua New Guinea’s economy, which has surged from K17 billion in 2002 to over K130 billion today. This expansion allows the State to fund larger budgets and secure the resources necessary to invest in health, education, roads, law and order, and opportunities for the people.
Looking ahead to the 2027 National General Election, the Prime Minister stated that forming a government is a privilege reserved for political institutions that are organized, strategic, purposeful, and genuinely committed to serving the grassroots.
He reminded citizens that the country’s democratic system provides equal opportunities for all political parties to present their policies and seek a mandate to govern. He urged the public to tune out political distractions, carefully scrutinize party platforms, and hold leaders strictly accountable to their visions.
