Governor for Gulf Province Sir Christopher Haiveta announced on Thursday (19.12.24) his decision to return to government with a renewed focus on ensuring transparency, accountability, and adherence to proper governance processes for the people of Gulf Province and Papua New Guinea (PNG). This decision follows the successful resolution of a court case that exposed serious flaws in how development funds were managed and disbursed, which prompted his departure from Government this year. The case centered on improper handling of K60 million in development funds that were initially sent to the Enga Provincial Government. Of this amount, K20 million rightfully belonged to the Gulf and Central Provincial Governments and was earmarked to support business development initiatives in the provinces. However, the Treasury’s warranting of these funds, both in their initial allocation to Enga and their subsequent transfer to the Gulf Provincial Government was done outside the provisions of the Public Finances (Management) Act, the Appropriation Act 2024, and the Constitution, rendering the entire process illegal. The proper procedure under the Public Finances (Management) Act would have required these funds to be returned to the Department of National Planning, where the Gulf and Central Provincial Governments would then submit the required paperwork and legal requests for their release. Instead, the funds were directly transferred to Gulf Province earlier this year. Although the funds have remained quarantined pending the court case, this unlawful process has caused unnecessary delays and uncertainty for the people of Gulf Province. After a lengthy legal battle, the court ruled in favor of the Gulf Provincial Government, confirming that the actions taken were outside the law. This ruling is a significant victory, not just for Gulf Province but for the principles of fairness, accountability, and adherence to proper governance processes. It also sets a critical precedent to ensure that such irregularities are not repeated, safeguarding the integrity of financial management in PNG. Sir Haiveta stressed that the decision to return to Government is driven by a deep sense of responsibility to address these issues from within and to ensure that similar breaches of the Public Finances (Management) Act do not occur in the future. “As a senior statesman and a stalwart of Pangu Pati, I remain steadfast in my loyalty to the party’s mission of serving the people. My priority now is to work collaboratively with my colleagues to establish clear, robust governance frameworks for the management of development funds.” “These reforms will ensure that all funds, whether provincial or tied to resource projects, are handled transparently, responsibly, and within the bounds of the law.” In addition to these governance reforms, Sir Haiveta noting his commitment to advancing critical national projects that hold transformative potential for our country.” He added that Gulf Province plays a pivotal role as the host of major initiatives such as the Papua LNG and Twinza Oil project, whose gas agreement was signed on Thursday (19.12.24). Sir Haiveta’s focus will be on ensuring these projects are implemented with integrity, oversight, and efficiency, delivering maximum benefits for the people of Gulf Province and Papua New Guinea as a whole. “I also reaffirm my support for Prime Minister James Marape and his leadership. Prime Minister Marape has outlined a vision for a stronger, more prosperous, and economically independent Papua New Guinea, and I am committed to working alongside him and my colleagues in Government to deliver on this vision. Together, we will implement the reforms necessary to strengthen governance, improve transparency, and drive meaningful progress.” “As we approach Papua New Guinea’s 50th Independence anniversary in 2025, this moment offers an opportunity to reflect on our achievements and prepare for a brighter future. My goal is to ensure that Gulf Province and Papua New Guinea are positioned for sustainable development, underpinned by governance systems that inspire trust and deliver results. “To the people of Gulf Province, I extend my heartfelt gratitude for your patience and resilience throughout this process. Your unwavering trust has been my greatest motivation, and I remain dedicated to ensuring that Gulf’s rightful share of resources is used responsibly and for your benefit. To the people of Papua New Guinea, I pledge to continue advocating for a government that is transparent, accountable, and focused on real progress for all.” he added.