Sir Puka calls for unity & discipline in 2026

 

Staff Reporter

• 02/01/2026

Member for Abau and senior leader in the Opposition, Sir Puka Temu has called on all leaders at every level to reflect deeply on their responsibilities, and on citizens to remain united, disciplined and engaged.

“Our future depends on whether we are prepared to confront hard truths, make necessary reforms and work together in the national interest. Let this year mark a renewed commitment to humility, unity and meaningful action for the good of Papua New Guinea,” he said.

“The Government now has a clear path of uninterrupted leadership until 2027. With political stability comes a rare opportunity.
“This is the moment to pause and ask an important question: what legacy will an eight-year tenure leave behind?” Sir Puka asked.

He said history will not remember slogans or intentions, but the lived experiences of citizens—whether life became safer, healthier, fairer and more hopeful under this leadership.

“Papua New Guineans are growing tired of lip service and sickening rhetoric. What they want is honesty, consistency and results.

“This is a time for tough decisions, not comfortable ones; for leadership driven by courage, not convenience; and for policies guided by a genuine heart for the people rather than short-term political survival.

PNG facing real hardships, says Sir Puka

 

Staff Reporter

• 02/01/2026

Member for Abau and a long-serving leader in PNG, Sir Puka Temu has claimed that PNG is entering the new year 2026, under the weight of real and persistent hardship.

He said for many families, daily life has become more difficult than at any time in recent memory.

“Rising living costs, insecurity in our communities, unreliable services and limited employment opportunities have forced ordinary citizens to rely increasingly on their own resilience.

“In these tough times, people are doing what they must to survive—taking care of themselves, supporting extended families and leaning on community networks where government presence is often absent.

“As a long-serving leader of this country, I make these remarks with great humility. I have witnessed periods of hope and growth, as well as moments of deep frustration and missed opportunity. I speak not to inflame division or score political points, but out of genuine concern for our people and for the future direction of our nation.

“At the core of national stability lies the family. Strong families create disciplined children, responsible citizens and cohesive communities,” he said.

Sir Puka reiterated that when families are united, communities are safer, social values are upheld and national unity is strengthened.
He said in a time when institutions are under strain, the family remains the strongest defence against social breakdown, and it must be protected and supported through policy, education and community leadership.

“Yet resilience and family unity alone cannot solve the challenges before us. There must be stronger and more vocal advocacy against the rising levels of lawlessness that continue to terrorise communities. Our health system is struggling, leaving vulnerable citizens without proper care. Education standards are declining, threatening the future of our children.

“At the same time, very low income levels and a lack of job opportunities are robbing young people of hope and dignity. These are no longer isolated problems—they are national emergencies that require decisive and coordinated action.”

He said Government priorities must be realigned with law and order, health, education, agriculture and manufacturing taking the centre of national planning.

“These sectors are not abstract policy areas; they directly determine whether our people can live safely, stay healthy, gain skills and earn a decent living. Agriculture and manufacturing in particular hold the key to job creation, food security and economic self-reliance, yet they continue to be underdeveloped and undervalued.”

PM Marape Announces Targeted Agricultural Credit Scheme to Drive Economic Growth and Food Security

PRIME Minister James Marape today announced a landmark national agricultural credit scheme aimed at empowering Papua New Guinean farmers, agribusinesses, and provincial governments to drive commercial production and long-term economic growth.

 

He made the announcement after officially opening the National Agriculture Industry Public–Private Sector Partnership Conference in Lae today.

 

The conference, jointly organised by the Department of Agriculture and the Consultative Implementation and Monitoring Council (CIMC), brings together key stakeholders from government, industry, and civil society to strengthen partnerships in transforming the agriculture sector into a commercially competitive industry that supports PNG’s economic future.

 

Prime Minister Marape described the new credit scheme as part of his government’s visionto move the nation away from over-reliance on the extractive sector and toward a productive, agriculture-led economy.

 

“We are rolling out the largest and most strategic targeted credit facility ever seen in thiscountry to support agriculture, food production, and value-added exports,” Prime Minister Marape said.

 

The Prime Minister highlighted that this programme is designed to:

* Replace over K2 billion worth of annual food imports, including rice, dairy, and processedgoods.

* Empower one million farming families to generate household income through crops suchas coffee, cocoa, copra, oil palm, balsa, fresh produce, and livestock.

* Create direct and indirect jobs across transport, logistics, extension services, and agro-processing.

* Boost domestic production for both national consumption and export markets in Asia andthe Pacific, tapping into over 4 billion consumers just one flight away.

“If one million families each earn K10,000 annually through agriculture, that’s K10 billioncirculating in our economy every year. This is how we build a sustainable K200 billion economy – not just through oil and gas, but by empowering our people to produce andprosper,” he said.

 

A New Lending Model: Long-Term, Intergenerational Loans.

 

"The facility, to be administered in partnership with the National Development Bank andcommercial lenders, will offer concessionary, long-term loans to Papua New Guineans who are actively engaged in agriculture — not “paper farmers,” the Prime Minister stressed.

 

“These are not handouts. We are willing to provide loans with long repayment terms – 20 to40 years – to serious farmers, cooperatives, and provincial governments. These must be intergenerational loans. We want to see agricultural families growing their businesses across generations,” he said.

 

Reviving Plantations and Provincial Partnerships.

 

Prime Minister Marape called on provinces with idle or under utilised land to partner with the National Government and revitalise plantation estates through structured block farmingand management models.

“We are revisiting the plantation model. Provinces must take responsibility. We will provide credit, but it must be repaid through revenue generated by productive land use,” he said.

 

The Prime Minister acknowledged past failures in plantation schemes, but noted that with better oversight and provincial accountability, the model can be revived successfully.

National Infrastructure Supporting Production.

 

This credit programme aligns with major investments in Connect PNG, port infrastructure,and rural development, ensuring that production areas are linked to domestic and international markets.

 

“We are not building ports just for imports. These ports must enable exports. That is the point of infrastructure investment,” he emphasised.

 

Prime Minister Marape stressed that PNG can follow the model of nations like New Zealand,which built a globally competitive economy from a strong agricultural base.

 

“We don’t need to go through every phase of development. With agriculture as our foundation, we can leapfrog to a modern economy. Education, health, ICT, and servicesall become accessible when we have a productive economic base,” he said.

 

He concluded by reaffirming that this targeted agricultural credit facility is central to building a resilient, inclusive economy, where all citizens participate in wealth creation

through the land.

ENDS

Chuave MP James Nomane Resigns From Government, Calls For PM Marape's Immediate Resignation Amidst City Unrest

In a significant development, Chuave MP James Nomane, also serving as the Vice Minister of National Planning, has resigned from the government and is now fervently calling for the resignation of Papua New Guinea (PNG) Prime Minister James Marape. This demand follows a wave of widespread unrest, violent killings, and the burning and looting of businesses in the capital city of Port Moresby.

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Nomane explicitly places blame on Prime Minister Marape, accusing him of indecisive actions that have fueled the escalating chaos in Port Moresby. The city is currently experiencing unprecedented turmoil, and Nomane squarely attributes responsibility to the Prime Minister.

In a viral video post, Nomane delivers a direct message, stating, "No blame games, no excuses—the bug stops with the Prime Minister. He must resign." Nomane holds Marape accountable for the economic downturn, failures in health and education, and what he terms as the alarming descent of the country into a "banana republic."

Advocating for a change in leadership, MP Nomane calls upon all Members of Parliament to unite and spearhead a comprehensive government overhaul. He asserts that the current administration is neglecting the well-being of the people and emphasizes the urgent need for a new direction.

Nomane goes beyond Marape, singling out Treasurer Ian Ling-Stuckey and demanding his immediate resignation for spreading falsehoods and misleading the public. The call for accountability extends further to Police Minister Peter Tsiamalili, accused of neglecting the pay and conditions of PNG police and eroding the standards of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary.

The turmoil in Port Moresby, marked by burning buildings, ransacked shops, and widespread looting, is seen by Nomane as a manifestation of the frustrations felt by the people. In his impassioned plea, he implores fellow MPs not to remain complacent in their comfort zones but to actively address the concerns of the citizens and prioritize the nation's welfare.

As the city continues to witness unrest and citizens suffer, the reverberations of the call for Prime Minister Marape's resignation resonate loudly, underscoring the urgent need for a change in leadership to reclaim the country, its economy, and the well-being of its people. The situation remains tense as authorities grapple with the fallout from the unrest in Port Moresby.

Source:

PNG Facts