RNZI: Papua New Guinea’s prime minister Peter O’Neill has unveiled his cabinet, featuring a mix of new and old hands on key ministerial portfolios.
Radio New Zealand reported sixty MPs-elect last week sided with Mr O’Neill to re-elect him as prime minister, and 33 of them have subsequently been made a minister.
The former Defence Minister Fabian Pok has been appointed Minister for Petroleum & Energy, a portfolio held for a long time by his United Resources Party leader William Duma.
Mr Duma is the new Minister for Public Enterprises.
People’s Progress Party member, Johnson Tuke, is the Minister for Mining.
Of the other PP members, first-time MPs Jelta Wong and Kevin Isifu are the Minister for Police and the Minister for Inter-Governmental Affairs respectively.
Anther newcomer, central Bougainville member Father Simon Dumarinu of the Social Democrats, is to be the Minister for Bougainville Affairs.
While his main coalition partners have been rewarded for supporting him, MPs from Mr O’Neill’s People’s National Congress feature most prominently.
Richard Maru, the former firebrand Trade Minister, is now the Minister of National Planning.
John Pundari stays on as Minister of Environment, and Douglas Tomuriesa remains Minister of Forestry.
Justin Tkatchenko has been allocated the Ministry of Lands & Physical Planning. Benny Allen takes on Agriculture & Livestock.
Meanwhile, first-time MP Soroi Eoe has been rewarded with the Ministry of Religion, Youth & Community Development for defecting from the PNG National Party to the PNC immediately after winning his seat.
Last week, Mr O’Neill announced the first of the leading figures in his cabinet, confirming Alotau MP Charles Abel of the PNC as Treasurer and deputy prime minister.
– RNZI
