PNG premier makes minor changes to cabinet two weeks before issuance of general election writs

News that matter in Papua New Guinea

PNG premier makes minor changes to cabinet two weeks before issuance of general election writs

PORT MORESBY: Prime Minister James Marape yesterday (April 13, 2022) changed the portfolios of three cabinet ministers, appointed two Members of Parliament (MPs) to fill vacant positions, saying the changes are needed before the issue of writs on April 28, 2022).

“We think a rotation of those key ministries at this time is very important leading up to the election period,” he said.

The National reported the minor changes:

Changes to Cabinet

April 14, 2022The NationalMain Stories

By DALE LUMA, GYNNIE KERO and CHARLES MOI
PRIME Minister James Marape yesterday changed the portfolios of three Cabinet ministers, appointed two MPs to fill vacant positions, saying the changes are needed before the issue of writs on April 28.
“We thought a rotation of those key ministries at this time are very important leading up to the election period,” he said.
The three changes are:

  • BRYAN Kramer moved from Justice to Immigration and Border Security;
  • PILA Niningi moved from Inter-government Relations to Justice;
  • WESTLEY Nukundj moved from Immigration and Border Security to Inter-Government Relations.

The two new ministers are:

  • HENRY Amuli replacing the late William Samb as Commerce and Industry minister; and,
  • POGIO Ghate replacing Wera Mori (who has left the Pangu Pati) as Environment Conservation and Climate Change Minister.

Marape said it had nothing to do with a lack of performance.
“All three of them (Kramer, Niningi, Nukundj) have performed very well in these key sectors but I felt that those sectors in the election period need to have a little bit of change,” Marape said.
On the need to replace Mori, Marape said he was told by his Pangu Party council and caucus “(who) I work with and take instructions from” that Mori be relinquished from his portfolio.
“I had the sad task of asking (Mori) to be decommissioned from Cabinet,” he said.
“He left Pangu to be the leader of the Country Party.
“The portfolio was conferred to him as a member of the Pangu party. (It) needs to come back to a Pangu party member.”
On why the changes were needed close to the general election, Marape said “the executive government functions all the way until the writs are returned. And that’s a few months down the line”.
Commenting on Marape’s move, Ialibu-Pangia MP and former prime minister Peter O’Neill said it was a sign that the Government did not have control of the country’s affairs “and is now panicking because elections are around the corner”.
“In 15 days (issue of writs on April 28), the Government will be in a caretaker arrangement and cannot make any decisions on government business,” O’Neill said.
“This is unbecoming of a prime minister who is seriously not fit to run our country.
“Moving ministers around is merely to approve certain deals and payments which he could not get it done with certain ministers.”
Opposition Leader Belden Namah called the 11th hour reshuffle unbelievable.
“It’s unbelievable coming on the eve of the elections.
“It’s just crazy. I see no benefit to the country.”

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Growing unemployment rate in Papua New Guinea

Image
News that matter in Papua New Guinea Growing unemployment rate in Papua New Guinea (Employment stagnant since 2014) PORT MORESBY: Employment in Papua New Guinea (PNG) has remained stagnant since 2014 with millions of unemployed looking for jobs. The formal job market currently can only accommodate between 400,000 and 500,000, Institute of National Affairs executive director Paul Barker says. “As more young people enter the job market this year after graduating from tertiary institutions and schools, the chances of securing formal employment is slim. “Employment had remained stagnant despite the increase in potential workers coming out of educations institutions,” he added. Read on for more details as published by The National : Hard to get jobs January 27, 2022 The National Main Stories By DALE LUMA MILLIONS of eligible workers around the country are looking for jobs in the formal sector, which currently can ...
Read more

Sugu Valley tribal war death toll rises to at least 30

Image
News that matters in Papua New Guinea Armed tribal warriors on the move in Sugu Valley. Sugu Valley tribal war death toll rises to at least 30 PORT MORESBY: At least six tribes have been fighting in Sugu Valley (Kagua-Erave, Southern Highlands) since Feb 10, 2019, without any signs of an end and peace. In fact, the death toll has risen to at least 30, up from 11 on May 23, 2019, and the opening of a new battlefront in Sumbura near Poroma with multiple deaths reported in 24 wards. Armed tribal warriors on the march into the forests and jungles. PNG Cyber Monitor had on a May 25, 2019, posting ( https://pngcybermonitor.blogspot.com/2019/05/real-life-rifles-bows-and-arrows-bloody.html Real life rifles, bows and arrows bloody fights in PNG ) highlighted the bloody battle waged by tribal warriors armed with rifles, bows and arrows and knives. PNG Cyber Monitor is again highlighting the plight of the villagers who have been living in fear as reported by The Nationa...
Read more

Sorcery shame for Papua New Guinea in X’mas

Image
News that matter in Papua New Guinea Sorcery tortures and violence are still being practised in Papua New Guinea in this 21st Century digital era. Sorcery shame for Papua New Guinea in X’mas PORT MORESBY: It was international shame for Papua New Guinea (PNG) this Christmas when sorcery reared its ugly head. Six women were stripped, bound to poles and burnt with hot knives as they screamed in pain, watched by an unsympathetic crowd. In a video that has gone viral in the internet, the women were accused of practising sorcery in Southern’s Enga. Police Comm David Manning described the sorcery torture as vile, inhumane, uncivilised, void of any human decency. “Papua New Guinea cannot progress without letting go of these horrific traditional beliefs. We have launched an urgent probe into the incident in Aiya’s Pawayamo village in Kagua-Erave.” The news break was published by The National : Horror torture of women Decem...
Read more