The Papua New Guinea Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (PNGEITI) Secretariat has commenced its first leg of the Subnational Roadshow and Awareness Program in Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province. This important initiative forms part of PNGEITI’s ongoing commitment to strengthen transparency, accountability, and good governance in Papua New Guinea’s extractive sector, especially at the provincial and local level governments.
The roadshow is focused on conducting EITI awareness programs and capacity building training for subnational stakeholders.
These stakeholders include representatives from provincial and district administrations, local-level governments, civil society organizations (CSOs), landowner associations, youth and women’s groups, and other key beneficiaries of extractive activities in targeted provinces.
The objectives of the program are to:
- Raise awareness of the principles, processes, and benefits of EITI implementation in PNG;
- Enhance stakeholders’ understanding of extractive revenue flows and reporting mechanisms;
- Strengthen capacity at the subnational level to monitor extractive operations and support reform efforts; and
- Identify local focal points to coordinate ongoing EITI efforts in the provinces.
The first week of the roadshow began with a courtesy visit to the Eastern Highlands Provincial Administration at Yanepa Haus on July 14, followed by a two-day awareness and engagement workshop on July 15–16 with government authorities and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Goroka. The PNGEITI Secretariat collaborated with the PNG Resource Governance Coalition, a strategic partner in EITI implementation, to deliver sessions tailored for civil society representatives.
On July 17, the team travelled to Kainantu to conduct further engagements with the District administrators, LLG administrators, landowner association leaders and CSOs, culminating in a mine site visit to K92 mine to enhance PNGEITI’s understanding of operational practices and local stakeholder concerns.
The second phase of the roadshow took place in Madang Province, where a workshop was held on Monday, July 21, bringing together stakeholders from the Provincial Administration, District administrators LLG administrators, landowner associations leaders and companies, CSOs, women and youth groups. A follow-up information-sharing session and site visit to the Kurumbukari project is scheduled for Tuesday, July 22, aimed at promoting dialogue and company participation in EITI transparency objectives.
The third leg of the roadshow will head to Morobe Province, starting with a high-level engagement with the Morobe Provincial Government on Thursday, July 24 to establish institutional contacts and secure support for EITI subnational coordination. This will be followed by a workshop in Bulolo on Friday, July 25, focusing on building inclusive stakeholder dialogue, especially in resource-hosting districts.
The roadshow concludes in Lae with a two-day workshop:
- Monday, July 28: Awareness session with government stakeholders including the Morobe Provincial Administration, District administrators, LLG administrators, and leaders of landowner companies and associations;
- Tuesday, July 29: A collaborative session with PNG Resource Governance Coalition targeting CSOs and other interest groups, highlighting national EITI progress, promoting inclusive dialogue, and identifying local focal persons.
This Subnational Awareness and Capacity Building Program is not only a major outreach milestone for PNGEITI, but also a crucial step in fulfilling the EITI Standard’s subnational reporting requirement. Through this program, PNGEITI reaffirms its dedication to strengthening subnational involvement in the extractive governance process and ensuring that benefits from the country’s natural resources are managed transparently and shared equitably across all levels of society.
