Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has called on all public servants to take inspiration from the Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP) IV 2023-2027 to contribute to Papua New Guinea’s path to greatness.
Addressing thousands of public servants on Friday, January 5, 2024, at the Sir John Guise Indoor Stadium and via livestream, Prime Minister Marape emphasised the country’s potential to achieve significant milestones with the record K27 billion 2024 Budget, aligning with the upcoming 50th anniversary of independence in 2025.
Challenging the 133,802 public servants nationwide, who received K4.7 billion in payments last year, constituting about 20 per cent of the National Budget, Prime Minister Marape urged them to rise to the challenge of nation-building.
The MTDP IV 2023-2027 serves as the ‘road map’ for the Marape Government in the pursuit of its ambitious development agenda. This plan outlines strategic policies with three key developmental objectives:
1. Growing the economy to K200 billion by 2030
2. Creating one million additional jobs
3. Improving the quality of life for all citizens
The plan also identifies 12 key Strategic Priority Areas (SPAs), including Strategic Economic Investments, Connect PNG Infrastructure, Quality and Affordable Health Care, Quality Education and Skilled Human Capital, Rule of Law and Restorative Justice, National Security, National Revenue and Public Finance Management, Digital Government, National Statistics and Public Service Governance, Research, Science and Technology, Climate Change and Natural Environment Protection, Population, Youth and Gender Development, and Strategic Partnership.
“All departmental heads must find their place in MTDP IV,” emphasised Prime Minister Marape.
“Public servants must pick a task designated to them, linked to MTDP IV. It is there to uplift our country over the next four years, preparing us for a better future in the next decade. I ask all: Find a place in MTDP IV.”
Prime Minister Marape also highlighted major events in 2024, including the National Census, mobilisation of school leavers, and the Local Level Government Election, urging public servants to be well-prepared. He emphasised that the Department of Personnel Management should ensure that up to 80 per cent of public servants work in rural areas, with only 20 per cent in national and provincial offices this year.
Additionally, Prime Minister Marape stressed the need for clear delineation of the functions of national, provincial, and district governments in the coming year.