Re: Urgent Payment of Outstanding Fees to Vendors of PNG 50th Anniversary Events

To:

The Right Honourable Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, James Marape MP

From:

The undersigned vendors, contractors, small businesses, and service providers of the PNG 50th Anniversary Celebrations

Date:

Friday 8th May, 2026

Dear Honourable Prime Minister,

We, the undersigned Papua New Guineans, respectfully submit this petition seeking your urgent intervention regarding long-outstanding payments owed to over 200 vendors who contributed to the successful delivery of the PNG 50th Anniversary celebrations.

These national events including:

• The Independence Day Main Celebration (16 September 2025)
• The Akon Concert (17 September 2025)
• The Meganesia Concert (20 September 2025) were staged at Sir John Guise Stadium, Port Moresby, and were delivered with pride, professionalism, and commitment by Papua New Guineans from all walks of life.

THE ISSUE

It has now been almost eight (8) months since these events were delivered, yet a significant number of vendors remain unpaid.

These vendors include:

• Small and medium enterprises (SMEs)
• Family-run “mama & papa” businesses
• Freelancers, artists, creatives, technicians, and service providers
• Grassroots operators who form the backbone of our economy.

Many of us were engaged through Gaba Productions, while others were contracted via UPNG or directly through PNG50-related channels. We have now been informed that the PNG50 Organising Committee has been disbanded, leaving no clear avenue for resolution. Despite repeated follow-ups, we have not received payment for services already rendered in good faith.

OUR POSITION

Honourable Prime Minister, we did not fail the nation.

We delivered.
We delivered under pressure.

We delivered at scale.

We delivered for Papua New Guinea’s 50th Independence Anniversary a moment of national pride and global visibility.

Many of us took personal and financial risks to ensure these events succeeded. Some:

• Took out loans
• Used personal savings
• Paid staff and suppliers out of pocket
• Put their businesses and livelihoods on the line.

We did so because we believed in the significance of PNG50.

We did so because we believed in our country.

We did so as true patriots.

Today, many of those same people are struggling to stay afloat.

OUR REQUEST

Given that the PNG50 Organising Committee reported directly to your office, we respectfully call on you, as Prime Minister, to:

1. Intervene immediately to resolve all outstanding payments
2. Direct the relevant authorities to verify and settle all legitimate vendor claims without further delay
3. Provide a clear timeline for payment to all affected parties
4. Ensure accountability and transparency in the handling of PNG50 funds

WHY THIS MATTERS

This is not just about unpaid invoices.

This is about:

• Trust in national initiatives
• The survival of small Papua New Guinean businesses
• The dignity of hardworking citizens
• The message we send to those who step forward to serve the nation.

If those who answered the call to deliver for PNG50 are leg unpaid, it will discourage participation in future national events and undermine confidence in government-led initiatives.

A CALL FOR LEADERSHIP

Honourable Prime Minister, this is an opportunity for decisive leadership.

An opportunity to stand with the “little people” the very citizens who carried PNG50 on their backs.

An opportunity to restore confidence, fairness, and trust.

An opportunity to show that those who serve the nation will not be forgotten.

We are not asking for favours. We are asking for what is rightfully owed.

CONCLUSION

We, the undersigned, urge your immediate attention to this matter.

We remain hopeful that under your leadership, this issue will be resolved swiftly and justly.

Signed:
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