The National | Phillip Ukuni | May 1st, 2025

One of the dailies published an article few weeks ago under the subheading 50 plus MPs yet to acquit.

This message was coming from the combine efforts of two very important government agencies legally tasked with constitutional duties and functions.

These two agencies are the Department of Implementation and Rural Development (DIRD) and the Ombudsman Commission.

These agencies efforts to ensure all public funds are acquitted annually has to be stringently enforced.

Post- Courier | Monday 28th, April 2025

The Ombudsman Commission was given a huge pat on the back when it issued a public notice in the daily newspapers at the beginning of March this year, calling on all MPs to submit their acquittals on the use of their electoral development funds. 

Commentary by ACT NOW!

ACT NOW! welcomes the recent government announcement of extra funding support to the Department of Implementation and Rural Development (DIRD) to allow physical inspection of district projects funded under the Service Improvement Program. But ACT NOW says the department must be transparent about which projects get inspected and the inspection reports must be made public for transparency and accountability purposes.

The National | Jesher Tilto | April 17, 2025

MORE than 50 MPs are yet to submit acquittals for their 2024 service improvement programme (SIP) funds to the Department of Implementation and Rural Development.

Acting secretary Aihi Vaki said only 62 out of 118 MPs had submitted their acquittals as of yesterday.

The National | Jesher Tilto | April 8, 2025

More than 70 MP's are yet to submit acquittals for their 2024 Service Improvement Programme (SIP) funds to the Department of Implementation and Rural Development (DIRD).

Acting secretary Aihi Vaki said only 43 out of the 118 MPS had submitted their acquittals as of yesterday. 

The National | Editorial | March 31st 2025

The Department of Implementation and Rural Development (DIRD) must be adequately funded so it can perform one of its key roles of inspection and monitoring projects in districts. 

This department is very a very important role to play in supporting the Government deliver improved services to every province, districts and local level government throughout motoring the country. 

The National | Jesher Tilto | April 2, 2025

All MPs yet to submit their acquittals for the 2024 service improvement program (SIP)funds to the Department of Implementation and Rural Development (DIRD) can still do so, an official says. 

Acting Secretary Aihi Vaki said despite the directive from Ombudsman Commission (OC) for all MPs to submit their required acquittals by March 31, his department would still accept them. 

Vaki said the DIRD and OC had different roles and responsibilities. 

The National | March 26, 2025

Department of Implementation and Rural Development (DIRD) was unable to inspect projects implemented in districts and provinces through service improvement funds in the last 10 years, its acting secretary has revealed. 

The National | 26 March, 2025

In fewer than 30 days, the country's local level government (LLG) elections will be conducted. 

The long awaited elections, including that of Motu-Koita Assembly, are expected to run concurrently with the issue of writs scheduled for April 24. 

Administrative Services Minister Richard Masere told Parliament on Friday that the Electoral Commission has been allocated K180 million to conduct  five national by elections and the nationwide LLG elections. 

Wantok Nuispepa | Mas 20-26 , 2025

Pot Mosbi, Papua Niugini: Ripot bilong New Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) em Transparency International i bin putimaut long 11 Februeri 2025, i soim ples klia olsem Papua Niugini i no inap kontrolim korapsen. Ripot i tok PNG i gat ‘bikpela sans long korapsen i kamap’ na ‘i soim olsem em i no inap kontrolim korapsen’. PNG i gat nem nogut tru long Pacific rijon, na em i stap namba 127 long 180 kantri long wol.

The National | Letters to the Editor| March 19, 2025 

The Provincial Service Improvement Program (PSIP) and the District Service Improvement Program (DSIP) represents substantial investments in the development of Papua New Guinea's districts and provinces. 

These funds, intended to uplift communities and drive progress are drawn from the public purse, making  their transparent and accountable use paramount. However, a critical gap exists in the current system: The lack of public access to PSIP and DSIP acquittals. 

Post Courier | Editorial | March 12 2025

Catholic Church Archbishop Sir John Ribat dropped a bombshell yesterday. 

He took corruption by politicians and public servants head-on. 

But it appears the people that were targeted - the politicians who run the country - did not flinch at Sir John's suggestion that police should be given special powers to arrest MPs who are found to be corrupt while serving in public office. 

They went about business as usual. They seem to have developed thick-skin immunity to the corruption octopus.

Cathy Tukne

Transparency and accountability are fundamental to effective governance, especially in the management of public funds. In Papua New Guinea, District Development Authorities (DDAs) play a critical role in delivering essential services and infrastructure to districts. However, concerns over mismanagement and declining service quality have prompted the launch of the DDA Watch website by ACT NOW! 

Post Courier | Editorial | 3rd March 2025

We have 108 members of parliament. There are 22 provincial members and the rest are Open members and the Prime Minister heads the executive government, which comprises 37 members. 

Cathy Tukne

New Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) figures, released on 11 February 2025 by Transparency International, highlight Papua New Guinea’s failure to deal with widespread corruption. PNG is classified as having a ‘high perceived risk of corruption’ with ‘no meaningful progress’ in anti-corruption efforts. PNG is the worst ranked country in the Pacific region and ranks 127th out of 180 countries globally.