13/11/2025
*A NEW DAWN FOR PAPUA NEW GUINEA AS THE MARAPE-ROSSO LEGACY IN MOTION WITH NUMEROUS PROJECTS AND POLICIES*
by Kotu Yakopa Akema
Transformation PNG – Admin
Port Moresby
We stand at the threshold of transformation. Under the leadership of Prime Minister James Marape and the Marape-Rosso Government, the nation has witnessed a wave of reforms, infrastructure development, and policy innovation that signal a bold new era of progress, inclusion, and national pride.
This is not just governance as it is nation-building. From the highlands to the coast, from urban centers to remote villages, the government’s vision has been clear: connect the country, empower the people, and restore trust in leadership.
The Connect PNG Program has redefined mobility and opportunity. Over 2,000 kilometres of roads have been built or rehabilitated, stitching together communities long cut off from services and markets. Upgraded terminals in Vanimo, Kavieng, Wewak, and Bougainville have boosted trade, tourism, and emergency response capabilities. These are not just roads and runways—they are lifelines of development.
In a landmark move, the government removed GST from 13 essential goods, easing the burden on families and stimulating local markets. A bold tax reform strategy awaits activation once the economy hits K150 billion, promising a more equitable and investment-friendly landscape. The Medium Term Development Plan IV (2023–2027) sets ambitious goals: K200 billion GDP, 1 million new jobs, and a diversified economy driven by agriculture, energy, and digital innovation.
For the first time in PNG’s history, public dialysis treatment is available. Cancer and cardiac care services have been established in Port Moresby and Lae. And in a proud moment, PNG was declared trachoma-free, eliminating its first neglected tropical disease. These are not just medical milestones as they are affirmations of dignity and care.
With K856 million allocated to Tuition Fee Free education, thousands more students now have access to learning. Vocational and technical schools have been upgraded, and STEM scholarships are preparing the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators. This is not just schooling as it is the foundation of a smarter, stronger PNG.
The launch of the National Monitoring & Coordination Authority brings real-time transparency to government projects. The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) is now fully operational, backed by whistle blower protections and asset transparency laws. This is not just oversight as it is a promise of integrity.
From reopening Porgera Mine with better terms for PNG, to expanding rural electrification, to launching the National Data Keeping Ministry, the Marape-Rosso Government has delivered over 100 tangible achievements across every sector of national life. These include reforms in mining, petroleum, and forestry laws; expansion of SME support and youth employment programs; strengthening of law and order, judiciary, and correctional services; climate change adaptation and carbon trading frameworks; and international diplomacy and regional leadership.
Each initiative is a thread in the fabric of a renewed Papua New Guinea.
Critics may speak, but the facts speak louder. The Marape-Rosso Government has not only dared to dream as it has dared to deliver. In the face of global challenges and domestic pressures, it has chosen the path of reform, resilience, and responsibility.
This is not just politics as it is leadership with purpose. Let us celebrate the journey so far, and commit to the road ahead. Because when Papua New Guinea rises, we all rise.
Here is a curated list of 100 notable projects and policy changes implemented under Prime Minister James Marape’s leadership, reflecting his administration’s efforts to transform Papua New Guinea across infrastructure, economy, health, education, governance, and social development.
1). Connect PNG Program launched
2). Over 2,000 km of roads constructed or rehabilitated
3). Upgraded Vanimo Airport terminal
4). Upgraded Kavieng Airport terminal
5). Upgraded Wewak Airport terminal
6). Upgraded Buka Airport terminal
7). Port Moresby General Hospital cardiac surgery unit established
😎. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy services introduced
9). Dialysis treatment introduced in public hospitals
10). Cancer services expanded to Angau Memorial Hospital
11). PNG declared trachoma-free
12). Tuition Fee Free (TFF) policy funded with K856 million
13). Vocational and technical schools upgraded nationwide
14). STEM scholarships introduced _(100s of students now studying overseas now and the parents affected will relate)_
15). *National Monitoring & Coordination Authority* launched
16). *Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC)* operationalized
17). *Whistleblower* protection laws enacted
18). Asset declaration and transparency laws passed
19). GST removed from 13 essential goods
20). Tax reform strategy announced (triggered at K150 billion GDP)
21). Medium Term Development Plan IV (2023–2027) launched
22). K200 billion GDP target by 2030
23). 1 million new jobs target by 2030
24). Porgera Mine reopened with revised ownership favoring PNG
25). Papua LNG project progressed
26). P’nyang Gas Agreement signed
27). Pasca A offshore gas project approved
28). SME support programs expanded
29). Over 100,000 new jobs created _(ask the 300 contractors on Connect PNG, many other contractors and other policy changes have employed)_
30). Over 100,000 school dropouts reintegrated
31). National Census and ID system modernization initiated
32). National Data Keeping Ministry created
33). National Gold Corporation established
34). Sovereign Wealth Fund reforms initiated
35). National Energy Authority established
36). Rural electrification projects expanded
37). PNG Electrification Partnership with international donors advanced
38). National broadband and ICT infrastructure expanded
39). Digital government platforms introduced
40). E-government services piloted
41). PNG Connect digital strategy launched
42). National Agriculture Strategy updated
43). Price support for key cash crops (coffee, cocoa, copra)
44). Fisheries sector reforms and licensing transparency
45). National Tourism Strategy launched
46). PNG Tourism Promotion Authority restructured
47). National Youth Development Authority revived
48). Youth employment and training programs expanded
49). National Sports Policy updated
50). Infrastructure for Pacific Games 2023 completed
51). Law and order task forces deployed
52). Police recruitment and training increased
53). Correctional Services reforms initiated
54). Judiciary infrastructure upgraded
55). Village Court system strengthened
56). Land reform and customary land registration promoted
57). Urbanization policy updated
58). Affordable housing initiatives launched
59). National Housing Corporation reforms
60). National Disaster Centre capacity enhanced
61). COVID-19 response and vaccination rollout
62). Health worker recruitment and training expanded
63). Rural health posts and aid posts rehabilitated
64). PNG Health Plan 2021–2030 launched
65). Education Act amendments for inclusive access
66). Early childhood education policy introduced
67). PNG Science and Innovation Policy launched
68). National Research Institute funding increased
69). National Teachers’ College upgrades
70). PNG University of Technology infrastructure expanded
71). PNG University of Natural Resources and Environment support
72). Gender-Based Violence (GBV) strategy implemented
73). Family and Sexual Violence Units expanded
74). Women’s Microfinance initiatives supported
75). National Disability Policy updated
76). Social protection programs expanded
77). National census preparation and pilot surveys
78). Electoral reforms and voter registration modernization
79). Decentralization and provincial autonomy discussions advanced
80). Bougainville Peace Process supported
81). Bougainville Referendum implementation framework
82). National Security Policy updated
83). Border security infrastructure improved
84). Bilateral relations with Australia, China, US, Indonesia strengthened
85). Pacific regional diplomacy elevated
86). Climate change adaptation projects funded
87). REDD+ and carbon trading frameworks developed
88). National Environment Act amendments
89). Forestry sector reforms and reforestation programs
90). Mining Act review initiated
91). Petroleum Act amendments proposed
92). National Content Policy for resource projects
93). Local content and employment targets enforced
94). PNG Sovereign Bond issued
95). Debt restructuring and fiscal consolidation
96). Revenue growth from K11 billion (2019) to K25.4 billion (2025)
97). 2025 National Budget of K28.3 billion passed
98). Public Finance Management Act reforms
99). Anti-money laundering compliance strengthened
100). PNG’s international credit rating stabilized
If you have not read enough, I can write more or another 1,000 projects more and policies Marape has delivered from sleepless nights and days as Marape is known by his MPs as the working machine todate.
