Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has accepted the verbal resignation of James Marape as a Minister of State.
“He has been a Minister since he was first elected as a Member of Parliament,” O’Neill said in a statement.
“This commitment has presented challenges at the district level and he has not spent enough time with his electorate and on issues that are close to his people.
“We are all elected as local Members first and foremost, and our districts and provinces require great attention for us to ensure improving levels of service delivery.
“I have not heard from the Minister, as a matter of protocol I expect he will be in contact soon to convey his intentions.
“While his resignation is unfortunate, Government wok mas go yet.”
The Tari-Pori MP announced his resignation from the Finance Minister portfolio and as Leader of Govt Business yesterday at Vulupindi Haus, citing low levels of trust between him and the PM.
“Whilst we don’t have any personal differences, we do differ on some work and policy related matters; these include policies like whether getting more local content participation in our gas, oil sector, or mining industry, or on the empowerment of our local businesses; or on resource laws reconfiguration for wealth generation for our country, or for lack of honouring existing resource projects agreements like the 4.27 percent of Kroton shares for five provincial governments and their landowners, and other issues,” said Marape.
“I have raised my views and concerns on those areas yet I have come to realise that most of my advices find no traction and is non compatible with Prime Minister’s world view, thus it is only fitting that I exit cabinet.”
(Filepic: Prime Minister Peter O’Neill in Parliament with James Marape behind him)