www.postcourier.com.pg/20070829/news.htm
New Cabinet named today
PRIME Minister Sir Michael Somare is expected to announce his full Cabinet today with the National Alliance retaining the deputy prime ministership.
But the man tipped to occupy the post, former deputy prime Minister and Kandep MP Don Polye last night said it was the Prime Minister's prerogative on who he chose as his number two. He said he would accept Sir Michael’s decision.
NA president Simon Kaiwi confirmed the second highest post would be retained by the party and given the Highlands branch had returned the second largest number of MPs, Mr Poyle was among the top contenders for the job.
It is understood that the party has unanimously agreed Mr Polye should get the job.
It is a closed camp as far as the new Cabinet makeup goes, but sources have tipped the all-important Finance ministry going to former Opposition Leader and Ialibu Pangia MP Peter O’Neill and Treasury to former Forest Minister and Aitape Lumi MP Patrick Pruaitch.
Former soldier and Vanimo Green River MP Belden Namah is tipped for the Forestry job, according to party insiders.
Former National Planning Secretary and Lagaip Porgera MP Philip Kikala is tipped to take on the National Planning ministry with Wabag MP Sam Abal continuing as Inter-Government Relations Minister.
POMIO MP and former Foreign Affairs Minister Paul Tiensten is likely to retain his portfolio and two of his colleague MPs from East New Britain – Dr Allan Marat of Rabaul and Patrick Tammur – are also tipped for ministries.
Leader of People’s Democratic Movement and North Bougainville MP Michael Ogio is expected to be given the public Service Ministry while Bougainville Regional MP Fidelis Semoso is tipped to be the Government Whip and also Minister for Bougainville Affairs.
Angoram MP Arthur Somare is tipped to be the minister responsible for Internal Security and leader of People’s Action Party and Maprik MP Gabriel Kapris is set to retain his Works ministry.
Leader of United Resource Party and Hagen MP William Duma has been acting in three ministries and may be given the Petroleum and Energy Ministry. The deputy leader of the NA party from the Southern region Dr Puka Temu could retain his Land ministry and leader of the Pangu party Andrew Kumbakor is likely to be given a ministry.
However, as Mr Polye said, the prerogative is with Sir Michael.
New Cabinet named today
PRIME Minister Sir Michael Somare is expected to announce his full Cabinet today with the National Alliance retaining the deputy prime ministership.
But the man tipped to occupy the post, former deputy prime Minister and Kandep MP Don Polye last night said it was the Prime Minister's prerogative on who he chose as his number two. He said he would accept Sir Michael’s decision.
NA president Simon Kaiwi confirmed the second highest post would be retained by the party and given the Highlands branch had returned the second largest number of MPs, Mr Poyle was among the top contenders for the job.
It is understood that the party has unanimously agreed Mr Polye should get the job.
It is a closed camp as far as the new Cabinet makeup goes, but sources have tipped the all-important Finance ministry going to former Opposition Leader and Ialibu Pangia MP Peter O’Neill and Treasury to former Forest Minister and Aitape Lumi MP Patrick Pruaitch.
Former soldier and Vanimo Green River MP Belden Namah is tipped for the Forestry job, according to party insiders.
Former National Planning Secretary and Lagaip Porgera MP Philip Kikala is tipped to take on the National Planning ministry with Wabag MP Sam Abal continuing as Inter-Government Relations Minister.
POMIO MP and former Foreign Affairs Minister Paul Tiensten is likely to retain his portfolio and two of his colleague MPs from East New Britain – Dr Allan Marat of Rabaul and Patrick Tammur – are also tipped for ministries.
Leader of People’s Democratic Movement and North Bougainville MP Michael Ogio is expected to be given the public Service Ministry while Bougainville Regional MP Fidelis Semoso is tipped to be the Government Whip and also Minister for Bougainville Affairs.
Angoram MP Arthur Somare is tipped to be the minister responsible for Internal Security and leader of People’s Action Party and Maprik MP Gabriel Kapris is set to retain his Works ministry.
Leader of United Resource Party and Hagen MP William Duma has been acting in three ministries and may be given the Petroleum and Energy Ministry. The deputy leader of the NA party from the Southern region Dr Puka Temu could retain his Land ministry and leader of the Pangu party Andrew Kumbakor is likely to be given a ministry.
However, as Mr Polye said, the prerogative is with Sir Michael.