NEC revokes Bogari’s post, Dihm appointed

 THE national executive council has revoked the appointment of Lucy Bogari as acting secretary for Foreign Affairs and appointed William Dihm as new acting secretary of the department.

Dihm, the PNG High Commissioner to New Zealand, has a long and distinguished record of commitment to practical capacity-building in various government departments and  agencies where he has worked.

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said last Friday  the government was determined to ensure that Papua New Guinea was ready to meet the challenges and opportunities ahead, both at home and abroad.

“”Papua New Guinea’s foreign relations are at a critical stage,” he said.

“Significant changes are occurring in and around the Asia-Pacific.

“Our own national economy is being transformed as the LNG and other resource projects come on line.

“It is vital that key agencies on which government, the private sector and the community as a whole rely to secure our national interests abroad, focus on building institutions on which we can all rely.

“We appreciate the way in which the new acting secretary’s predecessor and other colleagues have facilitated the recent period of transition in the department.”

O’Neill said the government looked to Dihm and other members of the Department of Foreign Affairs to work closely with Minister Rimbink Pato.

“They have to make sure the department is properly, equipped and cooperates with other government agencies and departments to help realise Papua New Guinea’s rich potential,’’ O’Neill said.