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By ISAAC NICHOLAS
PRIME Minister Sir Michael Somare has confirmed that the Government
would amend the Constitution to increase the number of ministerial
portfolios from 28 to 35 in the next session of Parliament.
He said this would come about after he revisits the composition of the
cabinet and review the ministerial portfolios.
Sir Michael said this after the announcement and swearing-in of the new
cabinet at Government House yesterday.
Sir Michael said that since independence, the functions of government
had expanded to include new and additional responsibilities and
challenges.
He said the population continued to increase and there was a need to
expand the membership of the National Executive Council to meet these
challenges.
“Towards the end of the year, I would revisit the composition of the
cabinet after completing the review of the ministerial portfolios and
enactment of consequential amendments to the relevant laws.”
He said the reason was when the Constitution was adopted on Aug 15,
1975, the Constituent Assembly prescribed 28 ministers including the
prime minister.
Sir Michael said at that time, PNG’s population was only 2.5 million.
“Today, you have almost six million people and I have to make some
constitutional changes. That’s why I am foreseeing changes over the next
few months to make sure that every region and every section was involved
in the process of government.”
The Prime Minister said Government departments had extra
responsibilities but lacked capacity.
“We don’t have the capacity, you give one minister three ministries and
with the responsibility and determination under these responsibilities,
you can destroy an individual holding that particular portfolio.
“It’s too much for his plate. The country is growing and by the end of
2012, the population would be more than six million, so you need to
cater for that.”
Sir Michael said that the Constitution stipulated that there shall be
120 members but that provision of the Constitution had not been used.
“We have not used the nominated provision, which the Constitution gives
me the right to do, if I wanted to appoint a number of women, that’s
where I can fit them in or someone from the religious representation,
that’s where I can fit them in but I have never used that provision.”
 
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