Not a good idea to have MPs with dual portfolios

Letters, Normal
Source:

The National, Friday July 5th, 2013

 IT is quite interesting that the prime minister has allowed Finance Minister James Marape to be in charge of the Education Ministry and Treasury Minister Don Polye the Higher Education Ministry. 

There are many highly- educated and capable MPs in the Government who are more qualified to take charge of the these two ministries. 

You cannot allow one MP to take charge of two very big, important ministries for such a lengthy period. 

Logically, their commitment and time would be divided and the concerned ministries will not perform to expectations. 

Our tertiary institutions are in an appalling state and so is our education system with the proposed exit of the outcome-based education (OBE) system. 

There is so much to be done and we need full-time ministers with undivided commitment who take full charge of their ministries to the next level in implementing its policies. 

Public servants also want to work with a full-time, committed minister with no overlapping responsibilities. 

The Finance Department was recently dragged into the spotlight over the substantial amount of money that had been paid to certain law firms and led to the sacking of the department’s secretary. 

The Education Department is also experiencing the repercussions of the frequent replacement of senior officers. 

These are the direct effects of having one MP holding two portfolios. 

Prime Minister, please hand these two ministries to other competent MPs within your government. 

Otherwise, how can we not draw a conclusion that we have a group of self-centred, egocentric and power-hungry leaders within certain regions?

Should you wish to retain the two MPs for the two ministries, then justify your reasons and let the citizens know. 

Over to you, PM. 

 

Sam Sinhe Aiwa

Lae