|
By ISAAC NICHOLAS
ABAU MP Dr Puka Temu has been elevated to the deputy prime minister’s
post in a full cabinet announced yesterday by Prime Minister Sir Michael
Somare.
As the major coalition partner, the National Alliance Party emerged with
the “cream of the cake” receiving 15 ministries including the Prime
Minister, Finance and Treasury, National Planning, Public Enterprise,
Health, Education, Agriculture and Livestock and Forest.
NA’s other coalition partners shared the remaining 13 ministries.
The NA also dominated the parliamentary secretaries’ allocation with
nine from the total of 12 appointments.
Dr Temu displaced Kandep MP Don Polye as deputy prime minister in a move
which disappointed the Highlands faction but which the Prime Minister
explained was a caucus decision.
Sir Michael also indicated that he would revisit the composition of
cabinet in a review after amendments are made to increase cabinet
membership from 27 to 35.
He said the composition of cabinet represented a balance from the four
regions of the country.
Dr Temu (deputy NA leader, Papua) is also Minister responsible for Lands
and Physical Planning and Mining, while NA deputy leader for Momase
region Patrick Pruaitch has landed the plum Finance and Treasury
portfolio.
His former Forest ministry goes to newcomer Belden Namah, a forest
landowner himself and who is heavily involved in the Amanab Block Five
and Six project in West Sepik province.
Mr Polye lost the second top post, but has Works added to his Transport
and Civil Aviation portfolios.
Deputy leader for NA (Islands region) and Pomio MP Paul Tiensten is now
Minister for National Planning and District Development.
Other party leaders who were awared ministries for their support are
People’s National Congress’ Peter O’Neill (Public Service), People’s
Action Party’s Gabriel Kapris (Commerce and Industry) and People’s
Democratic Movement’s Michael Ogio (Higher Education, Research, Science
and Technology), Melanesian Liberal Party’s Dr Allan Marat (Justice and
Attorney-General), United Resource Party’s William Duma (Petroleum and
Energy), Pangu’s Andrew Kumbakor (Housing and Urban Development) and
United Party’s Bob Dadae (Defence).
It is understood Mr Kapris had been pushing to retain his Works
Ministry, but missed out.
The Prime Minister said the cabinet line-up gave a regional balance in
all arms of Government including the bureaucracy.
“I have stated that this would be my last term of Parliament. I am happy
that the party which I, together with a small group of leaders, formed
prior to 1997 election and strengthened just before the 2002 election,
had turned out to be a strong political party after the 2007 election,”
Sir Michael said of his NA party.
He said the ministries were distributed under the Warangoi Agreement and
the Warangoi Accord together with the understanding reached in Kokopo.
“It is important that a long-term relationship is cemented between
partners to bring about political stability in the country, continuity
in government and certainty in the minds of all individuals and
corporate citizens.”
 
 |
