New ministers keen to get to work

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Justice and Attorney-General Davis Steven
“The Prime Minister has put together a formidable team with experience and quality,” Steven said.
“I will make a pathway forward as you know there is no peace or economic prosperity unless the social sector is strengthened and so the prime minister’s vision is clear.”

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Kikori MP Soroi Eoe
Eoe says that he has been exposed to so many international organisations in his previous role as director of the National Museum and Art Gallery.
“It’s really walking in the same path again but now taking on the bigger role to connecting this country with other countries of the world,” he said.
“My job is to ensure that our officers overseas are aware of the new directions, incentives and instructions into creating the connection that is needed, especially with new government’s aspirations.
“It’s a matter of prioritising national and international responsibilities rather than it being based on national interest.”

Minister for Lands and Physical Planning and Lae MP John Rosso
A first-time MP, Rosso says: “It’s a pretty big job. I come from an urban electorate and so it’s a challenge in front of me.
“I’m pretty grateful for getting the job but at the same time it’s lot of hard yards in front of me to fix a lot of the things inside the department.
“Lands is a key issue with a lot of people in Papua New Guinea, businesses and I have my work trying to sort out all the issues.”

Minister for Bougainville Affairs and Abau MP Sir Puka Temu
Sir Puka said he would deliver a credible referendum process leading up to the vote in October.
“That means to secure financial support to achieve this both from our government and our development bilateral as well as multilateral partners,” he said.
“I will undertake wide awareness both on Bougainville and mainland and in particular members of Parliament regarding a clear process post-referendum and an agreed time frame on when Parliament can ratify the outcome of the negotiated position post-Referendum.”

Defence Minister and Okapa MP Saki Soloma
Soloma says he looks forward to a big challenge ahead of him as Defence Minister in ensuring the force is active in carrying out civic work around the country.
He said his focus was to actively engage the soldiers in doing more civic work, assisting in nation building as required by the prime minister.
He said he wanted to make sure that discipline was also instilled in the force as the image had been down for some time with a few soldiers engaging in illegal activities with civilians.