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Wed, 28 Jul 2010
PORT MORESBY, PNG (POST COURIER) --- Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare has made a minor reshuffle to the new ministries announced by acting Prime Minister Don Polye last week.
Following an expression of disappointment by Foreign Affairs, Trade and Immigrations Minister Sam Abal in Fiji after learning of the Polye appointments, the Prime minister yesterday restored Trade and Immigrations to Mr Abal.
As a result, Esa’ala MP Maladina is now the State Minister assisting the Prime Minister on Constitutional Matters and the Electoral Commission.
Tambul Nebilyer MP Benjamin Mul is now the Minister for Civil Aviation only while the other new ministers remain in their portfolios.
Whether it was lack of consultation or not and while the exact reasons could not be established, Sir Michael is understood to be unimpressed with the new ministries.
“I learnt about the decision to strip the Trade and Immigration portfolio from my ministry while I was in Fiji with the Prime Minister. I expressed my disappointment to the PM there. Now it is entirely the PM prerogative to do what he wants with the portfolios. I have no say over them,’ Mr Abal said
Mr Polye, Maladina and Poponawa could not be contacted last night while the Prime Minister has reportedly already signed the instruments to effect the changes.
Sir Michael appointed Lukas Dekena (Gumine), Guma Wau (Kerowagi), Francis Potape (Komo Magarima) and the other ministers affected last Tuesday, July 21 before he left for Fiji.
Mr Polye announced the four new ministries to be headed by the eight ministers on Sunday July 25.
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