Prime Minister James Marape has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to national unity, regional empowerment and inclusive development at the signing of the Port Moresby Papua Accord, a milestone agreement that followed the Papua Governors’ Dialogue.
The accord brought together key national and regional leaders from the Southern, or Papuan, region, underscoring what Marape described as the country’s strength in diversity.
“Fifty years on, our nation calls for greater unity than division,” Marape said. “Diversity builds and not destroys. Diversity harnesses talents and mobilises resources and human ingenuity for our country to prosper.”
He expressed gratitude to Central Governor Rufina Peter, chairlady of the Parliamentary Governors’ Council, and to all Papuan governors for their leadership in advancing regional dialogue.
“To all Parliament Governors, to all Members of Parliament from the Papuan region of our country, I thank you for embracing this conversation of progress and unity,” he said.
Drawing parallels with the United States, Marape pointed to diversity as a foundation for progress. “The greatest democracy and economy today was built not by language or tribe, but on the principle of human equality embedded in Christian values,” he said.
The prime minister also highlighted Papua’s contribution to Papua New Guinea’s independence journey.
“Right from day one, the Papuan side has contributed to the country as much as the New Guinea side,” Marape said. “If you count the divide of Papuan territory and New Guinea territory, Papua has had four prime ministers — Bill Skate, Mekere Morauta, Peter O’Neill and myself.”
He urged the nation to rise above regional divides, reminding leaders of long-standing ancestral and trade ties across the country.
“We were a people before there was a Papua. We were a people before there was a New Guinea. Let us step away from the notion of a Papua–New Guinea divide,” he said.
Marape called on provincial governments to fully use the legal powers granted under the Organic Law on Provincial Governments and Local-level Governments.
“Since 1995, when has one Provincial Government utilised its powers? If it hasn’t happened, where is the problem? Pangu Party borne Provincial Governments after Independence to unite the country, not divide our country,” he said.
He committed his government to further decentralisation, pointing to wide-ranging powers under the law for governors and local-level governments in education, health, land, tourism, agriculture and resource management.
On development, Marape highlighted more than K1 billion worth of infrastructure and connectivity projects across the Southern region, including road links from Port Moresby to Alotau, Kikori and Kerema, aimed at unlocking tourism, agriculture and trade.
He also pointed to fresh export opportunities. “For the first time, Total is doing deep sea exploration at Mailu (Abau district). China has approved our coffee and seafood exports. Abau district in Central Province is now sending crabs directly to Singapore,” he said.
Closing his remarks, Marape urged leaders and public servants to turn words into action.
“Let us not be talkers — let us be workers. The power lies in our hands. If we unlock these structural impediments together, we can grow the economy and better serve our people,” he said.
The prime minister ended with a message of gratitude to the Papuan people: “Thank you, thank you, thank you. You have played your fair share and carried us. Let us continue to work together in unity. God bless.”
