Cabinet

He said this is a message to all Government MPs as he prepares to announce his full Cabinet on Tuesday (23 August) and as a week-long Parliament induction for new MPs starts Monday (22 August).

PM Marape stressed that an ordinary MP could transform PNG for the better if he or she put “200 per cent” effort into their job.

“We are now almost 47 years old as a nation and we will be 50 soon, yet, our country is in a diabolical state,” was his message to Government MPs.

“We all have to work very hard to fix it. 

The appointments were made today following recommendations from Prime Minister Rev. Dr. Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa.

The ministers appointments are effective from today (Monday).

His Majesty also approved the appointment of Viliami Manuopangai Hingano to the position of Governor of Ha’apai with effect from tomorrow (Tuesday).

Minister Vaipulu succeeds Vuna Fa’otusia, who reportedly resigned from Cabinet on Friday, 11 December,

 He was previously Minister for Trade.

Photo file Loop Tonga  

The petitions also called for the establishment of an independent commission to investigate allegations of mal-administration and abuse of authority by the Prime Minister and his Ministers and others associated with him; consider establishing an interim government that was independent to organize new Legislative Assembly elections and to support the work of the independent commission.

Lord Ma’afu resigned as Tonga’s Minister of Lands and Survey as well as Minister of His Majesty’s Armed Forces, two days after the Minister of Police Māteni Tapueluelu resigned on February 28.

Pōhiva rejected Tapueluelu’s resignation.

The reinstatement of Lord Ma’afu came after what the Prime Minister’s office has described as a reconciliation meeting Wednesday.  

The meeting was attended by Tapueluelu,  Lord Ma’afu and the Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva, the Prime Minister’s media advisor Lōpeti Senituli told Kaniva News.

Justice Minister, Vuna Fa’otusia said the new Cabinet will reflect who the people wanted to be in their government after the snap election.

Pohiva had allowed his Cabinet Ministers to give him their opinions on who they thought should be in the Cabinet.

“It will probably be announced on Friday as we need people to know about it before Christmas,” Fā’otusia told Kaniva News.

Mr Pohiva is in the second half of his term, having just survived a no-confidence vote, but has also lost three key cabinet ministers along the way.

The Prime Minister says he is committed to high standards and expects his cabinet ministers to work harder now.

RNZ reports Mr Pohiva acknowledges it has been a tough few weeks but says they have some clear goals in mind.

He says the Minister of Tourism, Semisi Sika and the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Semisi Fakahau have an important part to play.