Thursday 10th September, 2026
Prime Minister James Marape and the National Leadership Team have taken their regional oversight tour to the Western Highlands after the PMs maiden trip from Port Moresby to Lae, emphasizing firsthand community engagement, infrastructural milestones, and strict public accountability.
The latest leg of the government’s nationwide walkabout highlights a strategy focused on moving away from desk-bound policy making in Parliament and bringing oversight directly to ground zero.
Prime Minister Marape pointed to major regional achievements under current development blueprints, noting over 71 completed bridges across an extensive tracking radius.
PM Marape also echoed the push for uncompromising standards championed by Works and Highways Minister Peter Tsiamalili Jr.
“The government warned that public funds must yield high-quality results with zero tolerance for shortcuts”.
Minister for Works and Highways Hon. Peter Tsiamalili Jnr stressed that policies and national budgets must translate into measurable community impact, ensuring that health, education, and economic lifelines reach ordinary citizens.
He said the government welcomed constructive public criticism, noting that transparent feedback loops are vital to improving national development outcomes.
The government delegation is expected to continue inspecting project sites and meeting with district stakeholders as part of their ongoing efforts to maintain strict supervision over regional public investments.