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New DPM humbled
By HARLYNE JOKU
NEWLY-appointed Deputy Prime Minister Dr Puka Temu said he was humbled
and deeply happy with his appointment.
He said Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare had made a balanced choice in
his appointment of the full cabinet and that he would give the Chief his
100% support.
“I am most honoured and humbled as a Papua to be given the position of
Deputy Prime Minister,” Dr Temu said by phone from his home.
He said that throughout PNG’s political history since independence,
Papuans had always ‘given their shoulder’ to Sir Michael as Prime
Minister, from the days of Sir John Guise, Sir Maori Kiki, Sir Ebia
Olewale, Sir Moi Avei and now himself.
He said the Papuans including himself would continue to support Sir
Michael.
He further acknowledged and thanked his people of Abau who made it
possible for his return to take up the post and would do his utmost best
to help them raise their living standards.
Dr Temu paid tribute to his colleague and former deputy prime minister
Don Polye saying that he (Mr Polye) did an excellent and exceptional job
over the last term of which he would continue.
Dr Temu said one of his immediate priorities would be to work closely
with the Minister of Public Service and major reforms on the delivery
mechanism to enable it to work.
He said it was time that provincial administrators, district managers
and public servants responsible for effecting Government policies, toe
the line, stop their slackness and start to deliver much-needed services
to the people.
 
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