PNG Marape Government Makes Fresh Ministerial Appointments Ahead Of 2027

 PNG Marape Government Makes Fresh Ministerial Appointments Ahead Of 2027

TWO more MPs have been brought into senior government responsibilities in Papua New Guinea, with Prime Minister James Marape appointing new vice ministers as his government prepares for the 2027 national election.

The latest Cabinet changes have given Usino-Bundi MP Vincent Kumura responsibility within the Office of the Prime Minister and Porgera-Paiela MP Gidron Karipe a role in the petroleum sector.

 

Their appointments were formalised at Government House yesterday when Governor-General Sir Bob Dadae swore in the two MPs in the presence of senior government ministers.

Kumura is now Vice Minister assisting the Office of the Prime Minister, while Karipe takes up the position of Vice Minister Petroleum.

Marape said the appointments were part of his effort to nurture younger political leaders and ensure they gained experience before taking on greater responsibilities.

He said the move carried particular importance immediately after Independence Day, describing the development of future leaders as an important responsibility for those currently holding office.

The government has continued making changes to its ministerial line-up as it moves towards the 2027 national elections. The political implications of those appointments are likely to attract attention as MPs and parties begin positioning themselves for the next election.

Marape, however, presented the latest appointments as a leadership-development exercise rather than simply an expansion of the Cabinet.

He said the country needed to prepare members of the younger generation to take over greater responsibilities from the current group of senior leaders.

Kumura and Karipe thanked the Prime Minister for appointing them and committed themselves to carrying out their duties until the 2027 elections.

Marape said the presence of senior ministers and MPs at the swearing-in ceremony reflected the importance of developing the next generation of national leaders.

“Symbolic indication: the first day after the 16th of September, we just had to sign it out,” the Prime Minister said.