PROFESSIONAL LEADERS NAMED IN VICE-MINISTERIAL ALLOCATIONS

#PNGSUNpolitics: Plans and visions are as good as composition of the executive and legislative arms of the Government.

In order to jump-start the economy, take PNG back fully and implement other development aspirations, right leadership for the right ministerial roles with the right qualifications is pivotal. The concept is also important to restore public confidence in the executive and the legislative arms of the government.

With this in mind, Prime Minister, James Marape today (Tuesday) announced 12 Vice-Ministerial allocations, in line with his Government’s focus on ‘Growing the Economy’ and ‘Strengthening Internal Security’.

He made the announcements before he left for London to attend the funeral service of Queen Elizabeth II.

Of the 12 Vice-Ministers, four will be directly assisting PM Marape, in his role as Prime Minister and Minister for National Planning.

The four Vice Ministers assisting PM Marape are:

• Hon. Jimmy Maladina (Office of State Negotiations);

• Hon. Kinoka Feo (Strategic Planning);

• Hon. Muguwa Dilu (Constitutional Matters); and

• Hon. James Nomane (Planning PIP Budgeting)

The other eight Vice-Ministers and their allocations are:

• Hon. Solen Loifa (Treasury);

• Hon. John Boito (Finance and Implementation);

• Hon. Kessy Sawang (International Trade and Investment);

• Hon. Miki Kaeok (Works and Highways);

• Hon. Thomas Opa (Petroleum and Energy);

• Hon. Raphael Tonpi (State Enterprises);

• Hon. Graham Piniau Rumet (Cocoa and Copra); and

• Hon. James Donald (Mining and Border Issues).

“The four Vice-Ministers have been given specific tasks to assist me, likewise, the other eight Vice-Ministers,” PM Marape said.

“We are timebound and want to achieve results

“It is not just a ceremonial office they are holding, unlike the past, and they have been given specific tasks just like Ministers.

“We expect the Vice-Ministers to achieve in the tasks that they have been given.”

PM Marape said Ministers’ jobs were so “wide and huge” with Papua New Guinea not being like it was back in 1975, especially population growth.

He said when he returned from his international tour-of-duty, he would sit down with individual Ministers and Vice-Ministers, and tell them what was expected of them.

“All Ministers have already been given Key Result Areas, and when I return, I will sit down with them and the Vice-Ministers,” PM Marape said.

“Likewise, when I come back, I will meet all Governors at a Governors’ Forum and engage with them on what they must do.

“We will focus especially on provinces being less dependent on Waigani for finances, with more focus on agriculture, downstream processing of forestry, fisheries, tourism and other businesses.

“I want provinces to step up in these areas and take ownership of businesses instead of just being spectators and waiting for handouts from Waigani.

“This will complement our focus on Special Economic Zones (SEZ) in all provinces and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.

“This, I believe, will really jumpstart our economy.”