Papua New Guinea's opposition is accusing the government of spending recklessly, warning that at the rate it's going the country won't be ready to host next year's meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, or APEC.
Papua New Guinea deputy opposition leader Sam Basil, the MP for Bulolo. Photo: Supplied
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The comments came after the United Nations suspended PNG for failing to pay its annual member fees.
PNG's foreign minister, Rimbink Pato, told media that it was an administrative error and the fees had now been paid.
But the deputy leader of PNG's opposition party, Sam Basil, said it was clear the government could no longer afford to pay for even basic services, such as power bills.
Mr Basil said he was very worried about the country's ability to host APEC.
"It's very embarrassing for us - Papua New Guinea - when we know that we will be hosting this very important APEC meeting next year. The way we are going - it doesn't look good and we are very worried about how we will manage...when we have the APEC meeting."
Mr Basil said the Government needed to be transparent about how much debt it has.