Marape’s resignation unfortunate, says PM

PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill has accepted the resignation of James Marape as Finance Minister, saying it was “unfortunate”.
“He has been a minister since he was first elected as a Member of Parliament,” O’Neill said.
“This commitment has presented challenges at the district level and he has not spent enough time with his electorate and on issues that are close to his people. We are all elected as members first and foremost and our districts and provinces require great attention for us to ensure improving levels of service delivery.”
He said yesterday he had yet to speak to Marape about his decision but “as a matter of protocol, I expect he will be in contact soon to convey his intentions”.
“While his resignation is unfortunate, Government wok mas go yet,” O’Neill said.
Marape, 48, first became the Tari-Pori MP in 2007 as a member of Sir Michael Somare’s National Alliance Party. He was appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Works, Transport and Civil Aviation.
He regained the seat in the 2012 and 2017 general elections.
Meanwhile Defence Minister Solan Mirisim yesterday denied reports that he was resigning too. The Telefomin MP said he had not resigned.