"I want to encourage our youths: Do not come into Port Moresby or Lae. Stay back in your home and participate in controlling lawlessness," he told Parliament in response to a question.
"Participate in growing your country instead of loitering and wasting time in Port Moresby or Lae."
Marape was replying to Opposition Leader Joseph Lelang regarding the Vagrancy Act and social problems created by the high unemployment rate.
PNG Facts reported that Marape said social problems in urban areas were caused by the urban drift over the past 20 years.
"The government is working in a holistic manner to attend to the root cause of these issues. We are giving consideration to the implication of the Vagrancy Act and the implication upon people, especially when it encroaches onto restrictions of our right of movement.
"The migration to urban areas in the last 20 to 30 years consist mostly of youths looking for employment and education opportunities. We are pointing people back to the land.
"You may be wasting time in Port Moresby and Lae, go back home and get engaged in where you can. You can get more money from (selling) coffee.
"Pick up second-chance education and small-to-medium enterprises activity in your district.
"If there is no meaningful pursuit in life in the city, go back to your district chief executive officers and education officers and ask them," Marape reportedly said.
Marape said there were support facilities in the districts, with links to small-to-medium enterprises and education.
