The Papua New Guinea Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (PNGEITI) Secretariat from the 11th-15th May, 2026 completed phase two of the Subnational Roadshow and Awareness Program in Enga and Southern Highlands Provinces respectively.
This Subnational roadshow and awareness are part of PNGEITI’s ongoing commitment to strengthen transparency, accountability and good governance in PNG’s extractive sector at the provincial and local level government levels. The roadshow is focused on conducting EITI awareness and capacity building training for subnational stakeholders from provincial and district administrations, local-level governments, civil society organizations (CSOs), landowner associations, youth and women’s groups among other key beneficiaries of extractive activities in resource provinces.
Executive Director, George Kauli led a team of four PNGEITI officers accompanied by Dr. Wilfred Lus from the World Bank and National Petroleum Authority’s Kutubu Coordinator Glen Lucas on this five-day roadshow and awareness program. The objective of the five-day awareness program was to:
- Raise awareness on the principles, processes and benefits of EITI implementation in PNG;
- Enhance stakeholders’ understanding of extractive revenue flows and reporting mechanisms;
- Strengthen capacity at the subnational level to monitor extractive operations and support reform efforts and
- Identify local focal points to coordinate ongoing EITI efforts in the provinces.
Speaking during the outreach program, Executive Director George Kauli emphasized that one of the key roles of PNGEITI is to report on the imbalance between payments made by extractive companies to the government and the actual receipt and distribution of those revenues by government entities.
“PNGEITI exists to help track and report the flow of revenues generated from Papua New Guinea’s extractive sector. It is the right of every Papua New Guinean citizen to know how much revenue is being paid by extractive companies and how those revenues are received and managed by the government,” Mr. Kauli said.
“Although PNGEITI is not yet legally established like other State agencies, the data we publish is voluntarily provided by extractive companies and relevant government agencies, and we commend them for their continued cooperation and commitment to transparency. This voluntary disclosure forms the foundation of transparency, accountability and public trust within the extractive sector,” he added.
The roadshow commenced in Mt Hagen, where the PNGEITI team visited tertiary institutions including Mt Hagen Technical College and Holy Trinity Teachers College to conduct awareness sessions with students and academic representatives. The team later engaged with the National Broadcasting Corporation in Mt Hagen for a pre-recorded radio interview aimed at promoting public awareness of PNGEITI’s subnational outreach activities and the importance of extractive sector transparency.
The team then travelled to Enga Province, where an awareness workshop was conducted focusing on “Who is PNGEITI,” its role and the importance of EITI reporting at the subnational level.
The workshop brought together representatives from the Porgera Local Level Government, the Enga Provincial Administration and landowner representatives.
The engagement aimed to strengthen participants’ understanding of transparency and accountability in the management of extractive sector revenues and benefits. Participants were introduced to the role of PNGEITI in promoting open and accountable reporting within Papua New Guinea’s mining, oil and gas sectors, as well as the significance of subnational reporting in ensuring that revenues and benefits reaching provinces, districts, local-level governments and landowner groups are adequately disclosed and understood by the public.
During his observations at the Enga workshop, Dr. Wilfred Lus from the World Bank highlighted the broader importance of transparency in promoting stability and trust within resource communities.
“Transparency and accountability are important tools for peace-building in resource-rich communities. Where there is transparency in the reporting and management of revenues and benefits, it helps build trust among stakeholders, reduces misunderstandings, and supports informed dialogue and responsible decision-making,” Dr. Lus stated.
The workshop also provided an important platform for dialogue on stakeholder collaboration, accurate reporting and community awareness as critical components of strengthening trust and good governance in the extractive sector.
While in Enga Province, the team also visited NBC Wabag to conduct another pre-recorded radio awareness session for broadcast on the local station.
The Subnational Roadshow and Awareness Program concluded on 15 May 2026 in Southern Highlands Province, where PNGEITI conducted a final awareness workshop focusing on the role of PNGEITI and the importance of subnational EITI reporting.
The workshop brought together representatives from the Southern Highlands Provincial Administration and landowner representatives to further strengthen understanding of transparency, accountability and reporting within Papua New Guinea’s extractive sector.
Participants were introduced to the importance of open and accountable disclosure of revenues and benefits generated from the mining, oil and gas sectors, particularly the need for transparent reporting of benefits distributed to provinces, districts, local-level governments and landowner groups. The engagement also encouraged stakeholder participation, collaboration and informed public awareness as essential elements of responsible resource governance and sustainable development.
This Subnational Awareness and Capacity Building Program marks a significant outreach milestone for PNGEITI and represents an important step toward fulfilling the EITI Standard’s subnational reporting requirements. Through this initiative, PNGEITI continues to reaffirm its commitment to strengthening subnational participation in extractive sector governance and ensuring that benefits derived from Papua New Guinea’s natural resources are managed transparently and shared equitably across all levels of society.
