PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare had reshuffled some ministers of his cabinet.
In a statement issued, Mr Sogavere said the former Minister for Forestry, Bodo Dettke had been reshuffled as the new Minister for Tourism.
He will be replaced by Bartholomew Parapolo MP for Gela constituency.
In other changes former minister for Agriculture and Livestock Augustine Auga had been swapped with former Minister for Provincial Government Dudley Kopu while former Minister for Rural Development, Hilda Tuke becomes the Minister for Youth and Women Affairs.
The former Minister for Youth and Women Affairs Jason Tanangada takes up his new portfolio as the new Minister for Rural Development.
Prime Minister Sogavare said that the changes were necessary in light of Government’s initiative to undertake reforms in the Forestry sector.
He said since the forestry sector is one of the main significant revenue earners for the national economy it is of paramount importance government must take stringent measures to protect the industry.
Therefore, he said government is obliged to carry out stringent measures in regulating the industry to ensure long term sustainability so that the country can reap maximum benefit returns from the sector.
The Prime Minister said the move was made in the best interest of protecting the industry from being compromised by personal conflict of interest.
The Solomon Star understands that former Minister of Forestry, Mr Dettke had been under intense public criticism over some of his decisions in refusing granting operation and export licenses to some logging and forestry operators.
Some criticisms leveled against Mr Dettke accused him of biased, alleging such was an error of judgment based on conflict of interest.
The Prime Minister said the changes are part of Government’s initiative to streamline effective implementation of its policies.
Mr Sogavare said he has full confidence that government would effectively discharge its policy objectives under the leadership of his ministers under the new changes.
