6 deputies

By CLIFFORD FAIPARIK
SIX vice-ministers appointed by Prime Minister James Marape to help deliver Government’s social and economic policies were sworn in at Government House yesterday.
It takes to 11 the funded vice-ministerial positions in the Marape-led Government.
“These vice-ministerial positions are important to assist ministers with heavy responsibilities (for the) Government to remain functional until the 2022 national election,” Marape said.
He ruled out any Cabinet reshuffle in the meantime but all ministers are required to submit their key performance reports this week “to show what they have done so far in driving the Government’s economic and social policies and to fight corruption in public offices”.
“I have also reorganised my office and appointed a chief of staff and we will do a review of what we have done since being in office for the past two years,” he said.
“The Government has to be on top of our development agenda and ministers needs vice-ministers to help them drive our policies.”
The appointment of the six new vice ministers now completes all 11 vice-ministerial slots as the Government prepares to deliver its social and economic policies before the 2022 national election.
The vice-ministers are: Kairuku-Hiri MP Peter Isoaimo (Treasury), Bougainville Regional MP Peter Tsiamalili Jnr (Bougainville Affairs), Ijivitari MP Richard Masere (Foreign Investment), Angoram MP Salio Waipo (Public Services), Kokopo MP Emil Tamur (National Planning) and Raicoast MP Peter Sapia (Mining).