Former governor Muthuvel entrusted with State Enterprises

FORMER West New Britain Governor Sasindran Muthuvel is the new Minister for State Enterprises.
Prime Minister James Marape made the announcement on Friday, urging Muthuvel to ensure that state-owned entities pay dividends.
“Many of our state-owned enterprises are not declaring dividends to the state. They are working outside Treasury scrutiny, he said.
“Many of our state-owned entities are building their own empowerment and there will be a restructure.
“There will be greater visibility in Kumul Petroleum, Kumul Mining, we will set up Kumul agriculture and other Kumul subsidiaries.
“Muthuvel will be in charge of those areas and I have also restructured and I will make a few more announcements in that area.”
Marape announced that Goilala MP William Samb was the new Minister for Transport and Infrastructure and Air Niugini would come under that portfolio.
Samb, who was the minister assisting the prime minister under the previous regime was tasked to take care of Air Niugini.
“Air Niugini will be doing a diagnosis as to how it has been operating so far,” Marape said.
“You run a monopoly here, we know times are tough.
“You will now operate directly and report directly to a minister who will do a diagnosis into how Air Niguini is coming so we can maintain safety but at the same time improve in productivity and efficiency and at the end of the day we want you to also earn profit,” Marape said.
Rigo MP Lekwa Gure, who was the Civil Aviation Minister in the O’Neill-government, will continue in the portfolio.
Marape said Gure had much experience in that area and so would continue.