Caretaker cabinet

Seven ministers of the caretaker Cabinet were sworn in at Government House by Governor General, Sir Bob Dadae, yesterday afternoon.

Following his election in parliament on May 30th, Prime Minister James Marape allocated interim caretaker ministries to the seven.

“In the name of equitable distribution, fair distribution to all regions of our country, to all political parties that are in the coalition mix, hopefully we should find the distribution formula corrected as early as possible,” said Marape.

“Leaders of the highest quality, in my view, are men who are talented and they represent very much the structure of government we have in place and the structure of government that was agreed upon before we moved into parliament for my election as Prime Minister of this country.”

The PM is Minister for Public Service and Public Enterprises and State Investment.

At this stage, he does not have a deputy but will make the announcement soon.

Telefomin MP Solan Mirisim will be responsible for Defence, Foreign Affairs, Commerce and Industry, Civil Aviation, Fisheries and Forest ministries.

Finance, Petroleum and Energy, Inter-Government Relations, and Community Development ministries will come under Yangoru-Saussia MP, Richard Maru.

Bulolo MP Sam Basil is Minister for National Planning, Health, Housing, Communication and Information Technology and Higher Education.

Kainantu MP, Johnson Tuke, remains Mining Minister, and will also take on Transport, Culture and Tourism, Correctional Services, Environment Conservation and Climate Change.

Esa’ala MP Steven Davis was allocated Justice and Attorney General, Labor and Industrial Relations, Agriculture and Livestock and Lands and Physical Planning.

Mendi MP, Michael Nali, is Works, Bougainville Affairs, Immigration and Border Security Minister.

Charles Abel remains Treasurer and takes on Education and Police ministries as well.

Author: 
Sally Pokiton