Marape tells public servants not to waste time

The Prime Minister James Marape during the 2026 Public Service Opening and Dedication Prayer urged all public servants including the Ministers of state and heads of State-Owned Enterprises to not waste time and work.

Prime Minister Marape said too much productive time is lost to unnecessary delays, holidays and inefficiencies, and warned that PNG cannot afford to drift.

“We have few working days in between weekends and holidays. When it is work time, it must be work time,” he said.

“This country cannot be built by just the Prime Minister, Ministers or department heads. It must be built by every officer from the highest executive to the front-line public servant.”

He called on all public servants to recommit themselves to national service as Papua New Guinea begins the first working year after its 50th anniversary celebrations.

Mr Marape says the dedication service is not a ceremonial formality, but a critical moment to reset, refocus and recommit the entire machinery of government to the task of national development.

“This is not just another gathering. It is a dedication, a national rededication at the start of our 51st year as an independent country.

“This is about unity of purpose and clarity of direction,” Prime Minister Marape said

Prime Minister Marape reiterated that PNG had just completed its 50th Independence Anniversary and now the country must shift decisively from celebration to delivery.

“We have celebrated our past. Now we must build our future,” he said.

“Our people have given us a mandate. Our development framework is clear. Our priorities are set in Medium Term Development Plan 4 [MTDP IV]. There is no excuse for delay, confusion or complacency.”

He added that public service is at the heart of PNG’s national transformation, and its performance will determine whether government policies succeed or fail.

“Every ministry, every department, every agency already knows what it must do,” he said.

“Our national priorities are clearly set out in MTDP IV. We do not need more talk. We need action.”