OFFICIAL REBUTTAL TO FALSE AND DEFAMATORY ALLEGATIONS AGAINST THE MINISTER AND THE SECRETARY FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF WORKS AND HIGHWAYS

MINISTRY OF WORKS & HIGHWAYS - OFFICE OF THE MINISTER

MEDIA RELEASE

Port Moresby, Wednesday 21st May, 2025

OFFICIAL REBUTTAL TO FALSE AND DEFAMATORY ALLEGATIONS AGAINST THE MINISTER AND THE SECRETARY FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF WORKS AND HIGHWAYS.

The Department of Works and Highways (DoWH) strongly refutes the latest defamatory post circulating online, which contains misleading allegations against Minister Hon. Solan Mirisim, Secretary Mr. Gibson Holemba, and a list of small and medium contractors allegedly paid under the Connect PNG Program from August 2024 to December 2024.

1.MISLEADING AND SELECTIVE INFORMATION

The information being circulated is selective, unethical, and dangerous. It deliberately lists only a few SME contractors and falsely claims that they are at the center of a K600 million scandal. In reality:

• These payments do not amount to K600 million. The total mentioned in the list is significantly less than K100 million.
• More than 300 contractors, both major and minor, have been engaged under the Connect PNG Program during this period. Why are only a dozen small contractors being named and shamed?
• Payment was made based on verified scope of work and certified project milestones, not on personal or regional affiliations.
• We do not regionalize or politicize the procurement and payment of contractors. Payments are made according to work done, certification by engineers, and compliance with IFMS and PFMA processes.

2. DUE PROCESS AND COMPLIANCE OBSERVED

All contract procurement and payment activities under Connect PNG are:

• Subject to oversight by the Department of Finance, Treasury, and Auditor-General’s Office.
• Processed through the Integrated Financial Management System (IFMS) and comply with the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA).
• Supported by independent project verification and engineer certification.

Contrary to the false narrative, there has been no breach of public financial procedures. These claims aim to manipulate public perception and destabilize reform progress at the Department. In the last 9 months, we have rebuilt broken systems, tightened up corrupt processes, and implemented reforms.

3. TRANSPARENCY AND PUBLIC REPORTING

We clarify that:

• The 2024 Annual Performance and Expenditure Report has been submitted to Cabinet and will be tabled in Parliament next week, available to oversight agencies.
• The Connect PNG Program maintains a publicly accessible implementation tracker and open audit records.
• Any citizen can verify claims through proper accountability mechanisms, not through social media smear campaigns.

4. TARGETING LEADERS REFORMING THE SYSTEM

It is immoral and unjust to personally target Minister Mirisim and Secretary Holemba, who in less than a year have:

• Cleared legacy debts to contractors,
• Accelerated project delivery,
• Improved governance controls,
• Reviewed and aligned Connect PNG funding,
• Supported external audits,
• Developed Road Maintenance and Management Plan,
• Developed Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) Framework,
• Implemented Technical Audit Policy,
• Revamped the department’s website with updated Connect PNG information.

The K600 million in question refers to earlier disbursements prior to the current Secretary’s tenure and is already under audit.

5. CONDEMNING MALICIOUS DEFAMATION

We denounce attempts to vilify PNG-owned SMEs striving to deliver essential services. These are hardworking Papua New Guineans, not cronies. The Department will seek legal recourse against those spreading false content.

Final Statement

We remain committed to delivering the Connect PNG mandate, enhancing public infrastructure standards, and empowering contractors nationwide, WITHOUT FEAR OR FAVOR.

Let us focus on nation-building, not character assassination.

Authorized by:

HON. SOLAN MIRISIM, MP

MINISTER FOR WORKS & HIGHWAYS

GOVERNMENT OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA