Gulf Governor Sir Chris Haiveta has announced his immediate departure from the Marape-led government and joined the Opposition in significant political move this afternoon. In a fiery statement released today, Sunday August 18th, by Haiveta in a press conference in Port Moresby, which had the Opposition members present, Haiveta cited a “total breakdown in party leadership” and a “catalogue of failures” under Prime Minister James Marape as the reasons behind his departure. “This decision has not been made lightly, nor has it been influenced by external forces,” Haiveta said. “It is a stand born out of necessity, driven by the pressing and unresolved issues that plague our current leadership under Prime Minister and Parliamentary Leader of Pangu Pati, Hon. James Marape.” Haiveta, who remains a member of Pangu Pati, emphasized that his decision to move to the Opposition is rooted in a deep sense of responsibility towards the people of Gulf Province and Papua New Guinea. “My only aspiration is to serve the people of Gulf Province and Papua New Guinea. This decision is a clear and conscious choice made in the best interest of our nation and its future,” he stated. Betrayal and Failures: In his detailed statement, Sir Chris accused Prime Minister Marape of betraying the trust of the people and the principles of Pangu Pati, and accused Marape of steering the party away from its core values and engaging in power politics while neglecting critical issues affecting the country. “Our party leader and Prime Minister has failed to uphold the values upon which Pangu Pati was founded,” Haiveta said. “Hon. James Marape has steered the Pati away from its core principles, engaging in power politics and weaponizing public funds in ways that undermine the vision and integrity of our party.” Among the numerous issues highlighted by Haiveta is the Gulf BDG (Business Development Grant) saga, which he described as an eye-opener to the “unprincipled actions” under Marape’s leadership. He pointed out that Marape had compromised his values, and the Prime Minister’s actions were no longer aligned with the reasons that initially brought him to power in 2019. Haiveta’s critique extended beyond party matters, pointing to a series of governance failures that have impacted the entire nation. He accused Marape of presiding over a “catalogue of failures,” listing out several key issues: 1. Mismanagement of COVID-19 funds: K10.1 million for COVID-19 vaccines and K6.7 billion in COVID-19 funds, with no clear accountability; 2. Stalled foreign investment: The Papua LNG Project, initially slated for 2022/23, now delayed until mid-2026; 3. Failed infrastructure development: Billions spent on roads under the Connect PNG program, with contractors left unpaid and projects incomplete; 4. Lack of transparency in key decisions: No clear outcome from the APEC report, the UBS Loan scandal, and the opaque sale of BSP shares; 5. Corruption in contracts: A K66 million contract to a close associate for dumping soil from Paga Hill to the old port; 6. Unresolved legal matters: Ongoing legal issues with the Chief of Police and the mishandling of Paraka-gate issues; and 7. Neglect of the PNG LNG Project: Legacy landowner issues remain unresolved, despite being a key promise of Marape’s leadership. Sir Chris also raised concerns about the illegal transfer of K20 million intended for Gulf landowners, an act he attributed to Marape. “The illegal transfer of K20 million without proper authorization is just one example of the financial mismanagement that has infiltrated our national government." Haiveta urged his colleagues in the Government to join him in the Opposition, emphasizing that the country deserves better leadership. “Our country deserves leadership that is transparent, accountable, and truly dedicated to the well-being of all its citizens. The time has come to put aside political differences and focus on what truly matters: the future of Papua New Guinea,” he declared. He called for an urgent National Convention of Pangu Pati to address the “total breakdown in party leadership” and resolve the ongoing issues within the party. According to Haiveta, the leadership of the Parliamentary wing has operated in isolation, allowing for the creation of a “parallel Pangu Pati office” that is not recognized by the party’s administrative wing. Despite the turmoil, Haiveta shared his hopeful vision for the future of Papua New Guinea. “My vision for Papua New Guinea is one where the government works for the people, not against them. It is a vision where the vast resources of our nation are used to improve the lives of every citizen, where transparency and accountability are the cornerstones of our democracy, and where every Papua New Guinean can look to the future with hope and confidence." Haiveta reiterated that his decision to join the Opposition is a step towards realizing this vision, even if it means staying in the Opposition until 2027. “I am prepared to remain in the Opposition until 2027 if that is what it takes to restore our country to the path of righteousness and progress,” he said. Sir Chris Haiveta’s departure from the Marape government marks a significant moment in Papua New Guinea’s political landscape, as Parliament's resumption looms near, with the Opposition committed to pushing through another no-confidence vote (VoNC) against the Prime Minister. His strong condemnation of Prime Minister James Marape’s leadership, combined with his vision for a more transparent and accountable government, signals the beginning of a new chapter in his political career—one where he aims to challenge the status quo and push for reform from the Opposition benches. A statement from Opposition Leader Douglas Tomureisa on Sir Chris’ move to the Opposition will be made soon, but the move means that this now brings Opposition’s number back to 34.