Minister Peter Tsiamalili Jr Calls for Integrity, Accountability, and Quality in Building Papua New Guinea’s Future

Photograph: Peter Tsiamalili Jr, being led by Secretary Holemba and Senior Executives of Department of Works & Highways at the occasion of his Welcome and Dedication as the newly appointment Minister

The Secretary for Works and Highways, Mr. Gibson Holemba, and his staff welcomed their newly appointed Minister, Peter Tsiamalili Jr, in a ceremony hosted at the Works Headquarters in Port Moresby. Mr. Tsiamalili takes over the Ministry following the passing of the former Minister, Hon. Solan Mirisim.

In delivering his inaugural speech, Minister Tsiamalili, emphasized on development of  people who would then strengthen the systems and processes to protect state assets. Without all the sidenotes, Minister Tsiamalili’s speech is summed up here.

Extracts from the Inaugural Address

“Today is more than a welcome ceremony. It is a dedication. It is a moment of alignment. It is a moment where we pause—not to celebrate position—but to recommit ourselves to purpose.

Because the truth is this: roads and bridges are not just infrastructure. They are the lifelines of our people. They are the difference between a mother reaching a clinic on time or not. They are the difference between a farmer getting produce to market or watching it rot. They are the difference between a child attending school daily or dropping out. They are the difference between isolation and opportunity.”

“That is why this department matters. That is why your work matters.”

“I accept this responsibility with humility and with deep respect for every officer, every engineer, every supervisor, every driver, every cleaner, every planner, every administrator—because I know one thing: a Minister can give direction, but it is the public servants who deliver the nation.”

“Let me say this clearly: we are here to serve the people of Papua New Guinea. Not to impress. Not to delay. Not to excuse. Not to shift blame. But to deliver.”

“The people are watching us. They are tired of promises without progress. They are tired of seeing projects announced, mobilised, then abandoned. They are tired of roads that are completed on paper but broken on the ground.”

“So, from today, our culture must be one of Integrity, Discipline, Accountability, Performance, and Pride in Workmanship. We must build roads that last, bridges that stand, systems that protect public money, and a department that the nation can trust.”

“Our theme is simple but powerful: Connect PNG Now to Build Our Future.”

“To connect PNG is to connect markets. To connect PNG is to connect health services.
To connect PNG is to connect education. To connect PNG is to connect unity.”

“But to connect PNG, we must also connect our own systems:

• Planning must connect to funding
• Procurement must connect to transparency
• Supervision must connect to quality
• Reporting must connect to truth
• And leadership must connect to the people”

“I want every project we touch to carry a signature: Quality.”

“Not shortcuts. Not thin seals. Not weak compaction. Not certificate-first, work-later.”

“Let our work speak for itself. Let our results silence doubt.”

“From today, we will strengthen project controls, contract discipline, audit and compliance, and on-site supervision—because every kina we waste is a road we fail to build.”

Message to the Department of Works & Highways

“To every staff member of the Department of Works & Highways: I want you to remember something: When you wake up and put on your yellow uniform, you are not just coming to work. You are building a nation. When you inspect a culvert, you are protecting lives. When you check a design, you are protecting public investment. When you enforce standards, you are defending the future. And when you stand up for integrity—even when it is difficult—you are protecting the honour of this department.”

“Today we dedicate this work to God. Because we know that without God, plans can fail. Without God, leadership can be proud. Without God, power can corrupt. So, we pray for wisdom, courage, and unity. We pray for protection for our workers on the ground. We pray for fairness in our decisions. And we pray that our work will bless our people.”

“Let me end with this message: We are not here to manage decline. We are here to deliver progress. We are not here to keep the same systems. We are here to strengthen systems. We are not here to look busy. We are here to produce results.”

“So today, I ask every one of you—let us rise together. Let us build with discipline. Let us work with pride. Let us serve with integrity. And let us connect PNG now, so we can build the future our children deserve.”

“God bless you all. God bless the Department of Works & Highways. And God bless Papua New Guinea.