By SEPKOLIN WALNE
Opposition leader and Chuave MP James Nomane asked Prime Minister James Marape about recent changes in the coffee industry, expressing serious concerns over the reassignment of former coffee minister William Bando.
The Opposition leader stressed that, on record, Koroba Kopiago MP William Bando has been outstanding for the coffee industry.
He added that Bondo has created a resurgence, and he has physically driven it in the Highlands, especially in the Eastern Highlands and Simbu.
“This change in ministry really raises a lot of concerns for us, knowing that it is his absolute prerogative.
“Now, with these recent changes, I myself, the opposition and the country would like to know what the government aims to achieve with the changes in the recent ministerial changes to Cabinet, the new appointments and the reshuffle,” Opposition leader Nomane said.
In response, Prime Minister Marape emphasised that we are eight months from the issue of the writs for the 2027 election.
The Prime Minister said the government came into the office with a clear mandate.
“Our focus on agriculture, our focus on state-owned enterprise restoration, rehabilitation, and our focus on efficient delivery of services.”
He mentioned that, for the coffee minister, well, an equally qualified minister and the current transfer minister have been packing the coffee portfolio with him.
“You’re asking what the rationale is? I tell you it’s easier to buy coffee on the roads that are currently running, but coffee from Karamui, coffee from Marawaka, coffee from Kabwum, and coffee in remote areas come in by a mode of transportation.
“So, with the transfer portfolio packing with freight support, we want to at the earliest get our people their coffee up, uplifted from the remotest parts of our country to come in too,” Prime Minister Marape said.