Abel hands reins to Paita, says privileged to serve

OUTGOING Finance Minister Charles Abel says he is proud to have served in the position in the past five months.
Handing over the reins to Finschhafen MP Rainbo Paita at Vulupindi Haus, he said it was a privilege to serve.
Abel bows out after serving for two and a half years as deputy prime minister to Peter O’Neill.
He was also Minister for Culture, Art and Tourism, Civil Aviation, National Planning and Monitoring, and Treasury.
He said he had his contributions to nation building including initiating necessary reforms.
“So I depart comfortable in the work I have done,” he said.
“It is in his (Prime Minister James Marape’s) wisdom to choose the team that he feels comfortable working with.
“There is no regret in that sense.”
He said the Department of Finance was an important agency responsible for public finance and public assets.
He is confident that Paita, though young had the potential to handle the department.
Paita said he had worked in the department for some years and knew the work culture and senior staff. He said his appointment came at a critical time but was confident to continue the reforms initiated by Abel and Marape.