Former Opposition Leader Douglas Tomuriesa has secured a portfolio as the new Minister for Civil Aviation in the Marape-Rosso Government, alongside several other appointments.
Yangoru-Saussia MP Richard Maru is the new Minister for PNG Power—a new portfolio created to address aging infrastructure challenges and electricity supply in the country.
The new ministers were all sworn in at Government House in Port Moresby today, just hours before Parliament resumed for the July session at 2:00 PM.
The ministers include:
- Douglas Tomuriesa – Minister for Civil Aviation
- Elias Kapavore – Minister for Defence
- William Bando – Minister for Immigration
- Dr. Billy Joseph – Minister for Health
- William Duma – Minister for SOE
- Saki Soloma – Minister for Labour
- Robert Naguri – Minister for ICT
- Richard Maru – Minister for PNG Power
- Francis Kikin – Minister for Education
- Miki Kaeok – Minister for Coffee
- John Kaupa – Minister for Environment and Conservation
In a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office last night, Marape said his government is undertaking a broader restructuring to include functional realignments across central agencies, ministerial portfolio changes, adjustments within the State-Owned Enterprise sector, and changes to departmental leadership.
“We are undertaking a broader restructuring of government. This includes where performance has fallen short of Government’s expectations,” said Marape.
The appointments today also include Moresby North-East Member John Kaupa as the new Minister for Environment and Conservation.
Additional changes in the Government structure include the transfer of the Climate Change and Development Authority (CCDA) from the Environment Ministry to the Forestry Ministry.
Apart from ministry portfolios, Marape said a number of departmental heads who had failed to meet Government expectations have been asked to vacate their positions.
“We appoint people to deliver outcomes. Where departments have consistently failed to perform, we have taken the necessary decisions to bring in new leadership,” said Marape.
