The Papua New Guinea Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (PNGEITI) has launched a series of engagements aimed at deepening transparency, accountability and good governance in the country’s resource sector, beginning with a subnational roadshow in the Eastern Highlands Province and extending to a partnership with the University of Technology’s School of Engineering.
The first leg of the Subnational Roadshow and Awareness Program opened in Goroka on July 14 with a courtesy call to the Eastern Highlands Provincial Administration at Yanepa Haus. This was followed by a two-day workshop with government authorities and civil society organisations (CSOs), where PNGEITI, working alongside the PNG Resource Governance Coalition, delivered awareness sessions tailored for local communities.
The programme seeks to raise awareness of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), enhance understanding of revenue flows, strengthen monitoring capacity and identify local focal points to support ongoing reforms.
“The roadshow is focused on conducting EITI awareness programmes and capacity building training for subnational stakeholders,” PNGEITI said, adding that participants include provincial and district officials, local-level governments, CSOs, landowner associations, youth and women’s groups.
On July 17, the team travelled to Kainantu for further engagements, culminating in a site visit to the K92 Mine to better understand operational practices and stakeholder concerns.
The roadshow then moved to Madang Province on July 21, drawing together provincial administrators, landowners, women and youth groups. A site visit to the Kurumbukari project was scheduled for July 22 to encourage company participation in transparency goals.
The third leg heads to Morobe Province, beginning with high-level talks on July 24, before moving to Bulolo for a district-focused workshop on July 25. The programme concludes in Lae with two days of workshops from July 28 to 29, bringing together government officials, landowners and civil society actors.
This Subnational Awareness and Capacity Building Program marks a milestone for PNGEITI as it works to fulfil the EITI Standard’s reporting requirements at the provincial level. It also underscores a broader mission to ensure natural resource benefits are managed openly and shared equitably.
At the same time, PNGEITI is reaching out to the next generation of leaders. On July 17, in collaboration with the University of Technology’s School of Engineering, the Secretariat conducted a series of guest lectures on the extractive industries, EITI processes and the importance of transparency in resource management.
Speakers included PNGEITI’s Director of Communication and Stakeholder Engagement Dickson Sorariba, Media and Communication Officer Gideon Timothy and Policy and Programmes Officer Junior Kari Ora. Their presentations sparked lively discussions with students and staff, highlighting the role of academia in shaping accountable governance.
Executive Director George Kauli stressed that the initiative was not only about awareness but also about equipping future engineers and professionals with knowledge to make informed decisions. “Our mission is to promote understanding of natural resource management, strengthen public and corporate governance and accountability, and provide the data to inform policymaking and multi-stakeholder dialogue in the extractive sector,” Kauli said.
By combining grassroots workshops in rural provinces with academic partnerships in urban centres, PNGEITI is bridging gaps between policy, practice and education – a step it hopes will anchor long-term transparency and accountability across Papua New Guinea’s extractive industries.
