Lae, Morobe Province: The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has reinforced the critical role of provincial leadership in combating corruption and strengthening governance during its Second Commissioners Regional Breakfast for the Momase Region yesterday.

The engagement brought together Provincial Administrators, District Leaders, and senior public officials from West Sepik, East Sepik and Morobe Provinces, highlighting a unified effort to address governance challenges at the subnational level.

Speaking at the event, ICAC Acting Commissioner Thomas Eluh emphasised the theme:
“Engaging Provincial Leadership: Promoting Integrity and Accountability through Partnerships.”

Acting Commissioner Eluh stressed that tackling corruption requires collective responsibility across all levels of government, particularly at the provincial and district levels where policies are implemented and public services are delivered.

“Strong, ethical, and transparent leadership at the provincial level is essential in shaping public confidence and ensuring that government resources benefit our people,” he said.

He reaffirmed that the ICAC’s approach is both proactive and reactive, focusing on preventing corruption risks while also holding offenders accountable through investigations and prosecutions.

Growing concerns over corruption in Papua New Guinea, cited in the recent trends that indicate deteriorating public perceptions and systemic challenges.

Key concerns include:

• PNG’s 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index score dropped to 26/100, down from 31/100 in 2024, placing it among the lowest-ranked countries globally
• Corruption remains prevalent in key sectors such as mining, logging, procurement, infrastructure, and elections
• Underlying drivers include weak accountability systems, low transparency, political interference, and cultural influences such as wantok obligations

Strong concerns about corruption risks at the provincial and district levels, where weak oversight systems create opportunities for abuse of public funds.

High-risk areas identified include:

• Misappropriation of funds
• Inflated procurement contracts
• Ghost or incomplete infrastructure projects
• Preferential awarding of contracts to connected individuals

Attention was drawn to the District Services Improvement Program (DSIP) and Provincial Services Improvement Program (PSIP) funds, which are frequently linked to misuse and poor monitoring.

The Commission warned that such practices directly undermine essential services, including:

• Health care delivery
• Education systems
• Infrastructure development
• Law and order operations

“These failures are felt immediately by communities and contribute to growing public distrust in government,” Mr Eluh stated.

He also highlighted the country’s placement on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Grey List on 13 February 2026, linking it to weaknesses in systems for tackling money laundering and recovering stolen assets.

Corruption has been identified as a major contributor, with estimates suggesting up to 10% of government funds are lost annually to fraud and corrupt practices.

The ICAC underscored that provincial administrations are central to safeguarding public resources, given the large volumes of funding channelled through their systems.

“Provincial Administrators are custodians of public trust,” the Acting Commission said.
“Their leadership determines whether systems function effectively and whether development outcomes reach our people.”

Mr Eluh outlined key actions for provincial administrations to strengthen integrity and accountability:

• Improve internal controls – strengthen procurement and financial systems
• Appoint integrity focal points – coordinate anti-corruption efforts
• Encourage whistleblowing – create safe reporting channels
• Conduct regular risk assessments
• Lead with integrity – demonstrate ethical decision-making
• Strengthen district collaboration
• Participate in ICAC programs and training

The Commission emphasised that practical reforms at the provincial level can significantly reduce corruption risks and improve service delivery.

The ICAC reaffirmed its commitment to working alongside provincial administrations as both an oversight body and a partner, providing guidance, tools, and support to strengthen governance systems.

“Preventing corruption is not the responsibility of one institution alone,” the Acting Commissioner said.

“It requires strong partnerships, ethical leadership, and a shared commitment to accountability.”

As Papua New Guinea approaches the 2027 National Elections, the  ICAC warned that corruption risks including vote buying, electoral manipulation, and political interference  are expected to increase.

The Acting Commissioner called for vigilance and continued collaboration to protect democratic processes and public resources.

In closing, Acting Commissioner Eluh urged all provincial leaders to demonstrate visible commitment to integrity in their daily work.

“Every decision you make directly impacts the lives of our people,” he stressed.
“Together, we can build a public service that is transparent, accountable, and truly delivers for all Papua New Guineans.”