New-look Cabinet

By JEFFREY ELAPA
RETIRED Air Niugini pilot Lekwa Gure has been appointed Civil Aviation Minister in a Cabinet reshuffle which includes four new ministers and four sitting ones changing portfolios.
The reshuffle follows the resignation of five Cabinet ministers who have joined the opposition camp with those who want to force a change in Government.
The four new Cabinet ministers sworn in at Government House yesterday are Rigo MP Lekwa Gure (Civil Aviation), Kundiawa-Gembogl MP William Onglo (Defence), Sumkar MP Chris Nangoi (Transport and Infrastructure) and Lagaip-Porgera MP Tomait Kapili (Minister assisting the prime minister on Constitutional Matters and Bougainville Affairs).
The four sitting Cabinet Ministers who have changed portfolios are Richard Maru (from National Planning and Monitoring to Finance and Rural Development), Sam Basil (from Finance and Rural Development to National Planning and Monitoring), Elias Kapavore (from Public Service to Health and HIV-Aids), and Wesley Nukundji (from Transport and Infrastructure to Public Service).
Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said the four newcomers to Cabinet were “experienced” MPs who were now given the opportunity to serve in his Cabinet.
“(They) will strengthen our Cabinet and we look forward to working with the ministers,” he said.
He said the changes solidified his numbers to maintain consistency in governance by his PNC-led coalition government. Ijivitari MP Richard Masere has also been named the new chairman of the important Public Accounts Committee. More announcements are expected in coming weeks.
The Cabinet ministers who recently resigned were Sir Puka Temu, Solan Mirisim, William Samb, Davis Steven and James Marape.
Gure had retired as one of Air Niugini’s most experienced and senior pilots to contest the Rigo seat in the 2017 national election. He defeated Ano Pala.
One of his first plans after his election was to develop the Kwikila station in Central into a town and to make it his district headquarters.
“The development of Kwikila town is the highest priority on my list, including developing the Kwikila market,” he said.
“We will build the MP’s house in Kwikila so the people do not need to travel to Port Moresby to see their MP.”