AUGUST 21 2022
Prime Minister Hon. James Marape says an MP does not have to be a minister to change Papua New Guinea for the better.
He said this is a message to all Government MPs as he prepares to announce his full Cabinet on Tuesday (August 23 2022) and as a week-long Parliament induction for new MPs starts on Monday (August 22, 2022).
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.
“You do not have to be a minister to reconstruct and build a better PNG; your role as MP, if utilised 200 per cent, can change our country.
“As I settle with who to fill in Cabinet and vice-ministry positions on Tuesday, I will not be able to satisfy all of you, so I beg your understanding and I will do my best to ensure that your role as MP is well supported.
“Our Coalition Agreement, as well as having all provinces and regions fairly represented, will be considered when making the line-up.
“In the line-up, I also hope to match ministers with department heads, who can deliver the outcomes we want for our people.
“We are here not to enjoy the ambiance of the office of an MP but to achieve national outcomes.
“Hence, let us rally in our collective talents and get work done. Together we can; on your own you cannot!”
PM Marape urged all MPs, whether a minister in the new Cabinet or not, to work harder for the good of PNG.
“Time flies and it must not be wasted,” he said.
“I campaigned hard with my Pangu Pati on certain priorities to better PNG, and these will be attended to with no second-chance mindset.
“Those of you who will be in the National Executive Council must be PNG patriots to put the country first and your district last.
“You will be a PNG minister and not a district minister, meaning, you there to serve others first.
“If you want to serve your district first, then my advice is that you opt out of Cabinet, because I will require 100 per cent attention to the country as we travel the road to 50 years and beyond.
“For those who are not ministers, you will have much time on hand, and with Pangu’s policies on leaving no places behind – especially our rural areas – we will assist you with development funds to make PNG a better place.
“My only request is that your work is delivered consistent to national focus areas so our nation collectively benefits.”
PM Marape said the country had many outstanding issues and it required all MPs to attend to those tasks.
“I am presently going over our work over the last three years, and when the ministers are appointed, we will hit the ground running,” he said.
“Addressing law-and-order, fixing our education and health sectors, connecting our enabling infrastructure as well as growing our economy will be our core focus and I will have no time for complacency or politics.
“I would rather lose Government doing the right thing then keep Government by doing wrong things!”
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