By DALCY LULUA
THE Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (CEPA) and the Climate Change and Development Authority (CCDA) will continue to operate under the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Climate Change following the recent Cabinet reshuffle, CEPA Managing Director Jude Tukuliya has confirmed.
Mr Tukuliya said the confirmation came through a ministerial determination issued by Prime Minister James Marape, bringing clarity after uncertainty over the future administrative arrangement of the two authorities.
“I have received a copy of the Prime Minister’s determination informing all government agencies and development partners about the recent reshuffle. The determination confirms that the Climate Change and Development Authority and the Conservation and Environment Protection Authority will remain under the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Climate Change,” Mr Tukuliya said.
He made the announcement while officially welcoming the new Minister for Environment, Conservation and Climate Change, John Kaupa, during a handover ceremony at CEPA headquarters in Port Moresby.
Mr Tukuliya welcomed Minister Kaupa, his family, supporters and constituents, saying CEPA and CCDA looked forward to working under his leadership.
He also acknowledged the contribution of the outgoing minister, Simo Kilepa, and noted that the ministry continues to oversee both statutory authorities responsible for environmental protection and climate change governance.
Meanwhile, Acting CCDA Managing Director Debra Sungi said the ministerial determination had ended several days of uncertainty following the Cabinet reshuffle.
Ms Sungi said the initial announcement had suggested that the climate change portfolio would be moved to the Ministry of Forests, creating confusion for staff and stakeholders.
“The last few days have been a period of uncertainty. When the reshuffle was announced, climate change was expected to move to the Forest Ministry, so we awaited the ministerial determination,” she said.
“With the determination now issued, we have clarity that CCDA and CEPA will remain together under the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Climate Change.”
Ms Sungi said the decision allows both authorities to continue working under the same ministry and maintain continuity in implementing climate and environmental reforms.
She welcomed Minister Kaupa, describing him as an experienced leader, and said the authority looked forward to working closely with him through the CCDA Council.
Ms Sungi added that over the past decade, CCDA and CEPA had made significant progress in strengthening governance and institutional reforms under the Marape-Rosso Government and remained committed to advancing Papua New Guinea’s environmental conservation and climate change agenda.