PNG Govt Cabinet reshuffle sees, Sam Basil Appointed Deputy Prime Minister

The PNG Govt has done mini-cabinet reshuffle to maintain stability in the govt. United Labour Party leader Sam basil is the new deputy prime minister. According to prime minister Jame Marape,  the 'changes to the Cabinet that will consolidate stability, enhance leadership at the political level to drive key policy priorities of the Government and which capitalize on the skills and capabilities of individual ministers'.

The Prime Minister announced the following appointments :

•  Hon. Sam Basil, MP is now become the Deputy Prime Minister, whilst retaining his existing portfolio for National Planning;
• Hon. Jelta Wong, MP the new  Minister for Civil Aviation;
•  Hon. Sir Puka Temu, MP gets Minister for Health, drawing on his considerable medical background;
•  Hon. William Onglo is the new Minister for Energy, a new critical ministry that will coordinate the development and implementation of benchmark policies to deliver power to our villages, regions, towns and cities;
•  Hon. Leka Gure, MP  moves from Civil Aviation to become Minister for Labour and Employment; and
•  Hon. Walter Schnaubelt, MP is new Minister for Culture, Tourism and the National Museum.

'Two Ministers decommissioned are: Hon. Jeffrey Kama, MP, Minister for Labour and Industrial Relations and Hon. Emil Tammur MP Minister for Culture, Tourism and the National Museum. Both have been consulted and graciously offered to step down to concentrate on their respective electoral duties.

I thank both Mr Kama and Mr Tammur for their service to the Government.

Under the changes, I will personally assume responsibility for Bougainville Affairs. I consider this appropriate as we enter critical consultations on the next step of the Bougainville peace process.

The Hon. Davis Steven, MP will continue as Minister for Justice and AG, and I thank him for his contribution as Deputy Prime Minister over the past 16 months.

These changes draw on the substantial capabilities within our Government. They come at a critical time where our nation faces great challenges from the economic shock caused by the COVID 19 pandemic.

The changes also adhere to a ratio of three to one in the allocation of ministries against party representation, and this has been a key factor in my decision making.

I congratulate all Ministers on their new roles and have confidence that we have in place a team that will deliver effective policy outcomes and secure the future of our nation.

Next : PNG to honor Commitments to Bougainville, says PM Marape