By LYNETTE KIL
PRIME Minister James Marape said new ministry portfolios have been created to meet the workload in achieving a better economy for the country.
PM Marape made this statement during yesterday’s swearing in of former Opposition Leader Joseph Lelang as the Minister for new designated portfolio, Rural and Economic Development.
“Richard Masere taking on the other portfolio as Minister for Administrative Services, now we have a total of 36 ministries which are fully occupied whilst two are currently vacant,” the Prime Minister said.
“The split of ministry reflect growth in workload.
“As our economy and population grew, our public service structure also changes over the time,” PM Marape said.
He added that the sharing of workload will ensure essential functions of each ministry having direct impact on areas that have been overlooked and unattended over the years.
PM Marape elaborated that Rural and Economic Development has key portfolios and within that will compliment his (Lelang) experience and expertise.
“Its important function is to assist treasury, department of prime minister and planning to understand the economic ration of key public and private sector investments, with additional responsibility.”
He said Minister Lelang will work directly under his portfolio office of rural development and economic department.
The Prime Minister added that the government will look into establishing a National Economic Fiscal Commission to focus closely into service delivery in PNG.
“This is about establishing the equalisation formula to ensure all parts of our country receive the same value for resource allocation so that we don’t leave one part of the country behind whether in opposition or government district.
“We all belong to PNG, we all prosper together and Lelang brings his expertise into this space as far as development process and foreign investment is concern.
“The work in mainstream for treasury remains focus on budget revenue and expenditures.
“This remains as core treasury functions,” PM Marape said.
“He (Lelang) is amongst the few qualified economists we have in parliament, having formally served as a departmental head.”
