Poyle to act as Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology

Prime Minister Peter O’Neil announced yesterday, that Treasurer Don Polye will be acting Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology.

Incumbent and Ijivitari M-P David Arore met with Mr. O'Neil today, asking to be stood down, to concentrate on fighting criminal and graft charges brought against him, by police.

Popondetta police arrested and charged Mr Arore over the weekend and he appeared in court yesterday for mention.

He's out on a K1,500 bail. Mr Polye, who is the leader of THE Party of which Arore is a member, also attended the meeting. 

The Prime Minister says, Mr Arore’s decision to concede the Ministry while he fights the charges, is in line with the standard he's asked Ministers to set for themselves and the office they hold on day one of forming government.

He says Mr Arore has only been charged and remains innocent, until the Court deliberates on them. 

But Mr O'Neill says he's done the right thing by asking to be relieved of ministerial duties. NBC