PNG: Anti-corruption watchdog warns new caninet ministers
Updated
An anti-corruption group, Transparency International PNG, has warned Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare's new cabinet ministers to practice good governance. Sir Michael's new Deputy Prime Minister, Dr Puka Temu, along with the full new 27 member cabinet has just been sworn into office.
Presenter: Firmin Nanol
Speakers: Transparency International PNG spokesperson, Mike Manning; PNG Deputy Prime minister, Dr Puka Temu; Former PNG Deputy Prime Minister, Don Polye; PNG Prime Minister, Sir Michael Somare
NANOL: Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare's ruling National Alliance Party has got the highest number - 15 out of the 28 ministerial portfolios.
Transparency International- TI PNG spokesperson, Mike Manning says the new ministers should focus on service delivery and be guided by the laws.
He says TI-PNG will work in partnership with the government ministers to offer assistance where ever it can.
MANNING: Transparency International is about looking at the system of government. We hope that they will be governing within a transparent and accountable manner, so that the people of Papua New Guinea benefit from the tremendous resources that the country has.
NANOL: The new Deputy Prime minister, Dr Puka Temu, says he is honoured to be elevated to the country's second highest political position.
TEMU: And I take my hat off to parliamentary leader and the prime minister, our grand chief and also I take my hat off to our party and I give credit to the former deputy prime minister, Honourable Don Polye, who through dialogue and consultation relinquished the post and I believe that it is a very balanced line up.
NANOL: He says the government will ensure the public service machinery work hard to delver basic health and education services to the people.
TEMU: Our number one priority is to get our machinery right and as deputy prime minister I will make sure that public service machinery is responding to direction the government is calling and that is effective delivery of services in the country.
NANOL: Former Deputy Prime Minister Don Polye was overlooked in the new cabinet line up.
He says he has not regrets loosing the deputy prime minister's position and expressed confidence in the make up of the new cabinet.
Mr Polye says his chances of becoming a prime minister one day remains high.
POLYE: I was not desperate to become a prime minister of this country. You look at it, I've just started politics and this my second term and my chance of becoming the prime minister one day are very, very high.
NANOL: Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare says the ministerial portfolios were allocated in accordance with understanding reached between his 13 coalition parties.
He says he will review the entire cabinet in 12 months time.
Sir Michael says legislative changes will be made to increase the number of cabinet portfolios from 27 to 35 ministers to cater for the country's growing population.
SOMARE: Today you have almost 6 million people in the country and I have to make some constitutional changes. Within the next few months ahead of us, I show that every province is involved in the process of government.
NANOL: A newcomer and a forest landowner and developer Belden Namah has been awarded the country's Forestry portfolio.
Two independent MPs who joined Sir Michael Somare's ruling National Alliance Party have been awarded a ministry each.
The only women MP, Dame Carol Kidu has retained the Community Development Ministry.
P-N-G's Opposition is yet to respond to the cabinet line up.
Firmin Nanol-Port Moresby.
