Provincial and district leaders have been reminded that they play a critical role in safeguarding public funds and maintaining confidence in government institutions.

During the regional breakfast forum, ICAC Acting Deputy Commissioner Thomas Eluh highlighted the significant volume of development funding managed at the provincial and district levels.

According to ADC Eluh, approximately K1.18 billion in DSIP and PSIP funding was distributed across Papua New Guinea in 2025, including K960 million to districts and K220 million to provinces.

“This is K1.18 billion flowing directly into provincial systems; money that passes through your hands, your processes and your oversight,” ADCEluh said.

He noted that provincial administrators and district leaders carry significant responsibilities under the Procurement Act, Public Finances Management Act, Section 32 controls and Form 11 approval processes.

“Every committee you chair, every tender you approve, every supplier you verify, or fail to verify, becomes part of a national story of integrity or corruption,” he said.

Similarly, Acting Commissioner Retired Judge Don Sawong emphasised that public trust depends on how public officials manage resources and implement government programs.

“Provincial and district administrations are at the frontline of government service delivery and play a decisive role in building public trust and preventing corruption,”he said.

AC Sawong said integrity means managing public resources responsibly, placing public interests ahead of personal interests and making decisions capable of withstanding scrutiny.

ADC Eluh challenged leaders to recognise that they are more than administrators.

“You are custodians of public confidence. You are stewards of the nation’s resources,”he said.

Both leaders encouraged provinces to strengthen procurement compliance, improve financial oversight, undertake corruption risk assessments and ensure accountability mechanisms are functioning effectively.