By GEORGINA MICHAEL
MEMBER for Abau District, Sir Puka Temu, has called on Prime Minister James Marape to transfer the national disaster portfolio from the Ministry of Health back to the Ministry of Defence, citing structural issues and delays in the country’s disaster response.
Speaking during Parliament’s sitting today, Sir Puka acknowledged the efforts of the Minister for Health and National Disaster, Dr Billy Joseph, in addressing the impacts of El Niño across the country.
However, he argued that the national disaster portfolio should be managed under the Ministry of Defence rather than the Department of Health, raising concerns about the current structure and the slow response to national disasters.
He said there was good reason why the government previously moved the portfolio of National Disaster to Defence, because it has direct responsibility for logistics and manpower for response.
Sir Puka said “The responses I’m reading are slow. I think it’s a structural issue the Prime Minister needs to sort out. Why don’t you move the disaster ministry to the Minister for Defence?” he told the Prime Minister.
In response, Minister for Health and National Disaster Hon. Dr. Billy Joseph said the placement of the disaster office is the Prime Minister’s prerogative; however they are working very closely with the Defence Ministry.
“We have worked very, very closely with Defence to look at the framework of the disaster management,” Dr. Joseph said.
He also pointed out that the National Disaster Center is not a department on its own, but a directorate within the Department of Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs.
“That is why we are trying to create this National Emergency Management Authority, so that it is a standalone department of its own,” he concluded.