Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has strongly rejected attempts to unfairly label or stereotype the people of Goilala following recent incidents of lawlessness in the National Capital District (NCD), saying the actions of a few individuals must not be used to brand an entire district or community.
“The people of Goilala, as a whole, cannot and must not be branded like this,” Prime Minister Marape said in a statement.
“A few individuals in the city may engage in unlawful behavior — just as happens with people from other parts of the country — but that does not mean all Goilala people are bad or involved in criminal activities.”
The Prime Minister said such generalizations only create division and undermine national unity.
“I strongly discourage this type of branding,” he said. “We must stop painting our people with one brush and instead hold individual troublemakers accountable for their own criminal actions.”
Prime Minister Marape emphasized that the people of Goilala have made significant contributions to the development of the nation’s capital.
“Goilalas come from this part of the country whose sweat, blood and labour have helped build this city,” he said.
“They are among the many Papua New Guineans who have worked on construction sites, roads, buildings and essential services that support Port Moresby today.”
The Prime Minister said he would personally engage Goilala leaders to address both the current concerns and long-term solutions.
“I will personally reach out to Goilala leaders and their people, including the Governor for Central Province, Hon. Rufina Peter, and the Member for Goilala, Hon. Casmiro Aia,” he said.
“We will work together to resolve the present issues and put in place long-term solutions in close coordination with NCD leadership.”
Prime Minister Marape said the National Government is intensifying efforts to improve road infrastructure across the country — including Goilala, the Highlands region and key road networks linking rural districts to the National Capital District.
“Our government will work to fix roads back home — not only to Goilala, but right across the Highlands and into NCD,” he said.
He said improved connectivity would allow unemployed citizens to return home and earn sustainable livelihoods rather than remaining idle in urban settlements.
“Goilala is directly linked to NCD markets. When roads are open, our people can sell fresh food into Port Moresby and earn more money from agriculture than living an unemployed life in the city,” Prime Minister Marape said.
The Prime Minister said the National Government is working closely with the National Capital District Commission (NCDC), under Governor Hon. Powes Parkop, Moresby South MP Hon. Justin Tkatchenko, Moresby Northeast MP Hon. John Kaupa and Moresby Northwest MP Hon. Lohia Boe Samuel, together with city authorities, to manage settlement growth and law-and-order concerns in the capital.
“For those who are legitimately employed in the city, we will ensure proper and lawful resettlement arrangements,” he said.
“For those who are not employed, we will work with respective provincial governments — including Central Province and others — to assist our people to return home in a dignified, coordinated and humane manner.”
Prime Minister Marape reminded citizens that rural Papua New Guinea remains rich in land, resources and opportunity.
“My people, you have land back home,” he said. “Government is paying your children’s school fees. Whatever you earn from agriculture becomes extra income for your family.”
Sharing his own experience, the Prime Minister highlighted the economic value of rural production.
“When I was growing up, my mother grew vegetables, sweet potato and coffee,” he said.
“At the Tari market in the late 1980s right through to 2015, when she was active in gardening and marketing, she earned around K10,000 a year.
That income sustained our family. Money is abundant in our villages if we are willing to work the land.”
He urged unemployed citizens in urban areas to consider returning home.
“If you are unemployed, please go back home,” Prime Minister Marape said.
To prevent lawlessness and ensure individuals — not communities — are held responsible, Prime Minister Marape announced strengthened enforcement measures.
“I have instructed the Ministers for Works, Transport and Civil Aviation, together with the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary, to establish checkpoints at key highway and road junctions,” he said.
He added that over the next few years, identification requirements will be strengthened nationwide.
“Identification will be required for movement across the country and for residency in major cities,” he said.
“This will help stop unaccounted movement that leads to lawlessness, prevent unfair branding of communities, and ensure individual offenders are held accountable for their criminal behaviors.”
Prime Minister Marape said restoring order and social harmony requires fairness, accountability and national cooperation.
“We must not divide Papua New Guinea by labelling our people,” he said.
“We must reconnect our roads, strengthen our rural economies, empower our farmers, and ensure that those who break the law face justice as individuals. That is how we build a safer, stronger and more united Papua New Guinea.”