The prime minister has warned public servants with financial authority to stop the “mad rush” of making final payments as the year is about to end and government accounts closing soon.

Prime Minister James Marape warned all public servants holding financial authority, particularly Section 32 officers, to immediately stop the traditional “mad rush” of December spending and strictly comply with budget rules, approved work plans and financial laws.

In a firm address delivered ahead of the close of the 2025 financial year, Prime Minister Marape cautioned departmental heads, finance officers, cheque signatories and payment authorities against rushing to pay claims, contractors and service providers simply because the calendar year is ending.

“There is a false notion that one year’s money must be spent before 31st December, or it is lost. That is a fallacy,” Prime Minister Marape said.

He explained that the transition from one financial year to the next is a technical accounting process, not a justification for reckless or rushed expenditure.

“Public funds remain public funds. The work continues. Government does not come to a standstill on 31st December. We resume work on 2 January, and the country continues to function,” he said.

Prime Minister Marape said Papua New Guinea (PNG) has, for decades, suffered losses, audit issues and financial leakages due to irresponsible year-end spending — a culture he said must now end as part of the Government’s broader PNG@50 Reset agenda.

He warned that incomplete paperwork, unsigned contracts, illegitimate claims or expenditures outside approved work plans must not be processed simply to “clear accounts”.

The Prime Minister confirmed that he has issued firm financial instructions to the Secretary for Finance, as the Government’s chief financial authority, to formally notify all Section 32 officers that they will be held personally accountable for any misuse or misapplication of public funds.

“Section 32 officers will be the point of reference for accountability,” Prime Minister Marape said.

He said that from next year, the Government will intensify monitoring and oversight, including the involvement of the National Monitoring and Coordinating Authority, to strengthen scrutiny of expenditure across all departments and agencies.

Prime Minister Marape stressed that all claims and payments must follow due process, and where compliance requirements are not met, payments must wait.