DECEMBER 7 2021
Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has denied speculations of a major Cabinet reshuffle.
He said this in Port Moresby on Monday (December 6 2021) night after returning from Vanimo in West Sepik where he announced delivery of more than K1 billion worth of projects.
Opposition Leader Hon. Belden Namah was with him in Vanimo when he announced these major projects including the US$200 million (K700 million) Vanimo Port, K200 million for the West Coast Highway linking Vanimo to Wewak, and K200 million for the Telefomin-Tabubil Road.
It was mentioned that work on Vanimo-Wewak and Tabubil-Telefomin highways had started with 40km more to reach Telefomin.
“All this talk of a major Cabinet reshuffle is preemptive and if it happens, then it will be to keep the executive government functioning when country usually slows down during election years. We have enough of political maneuvering that has hampered work, hence, with elections coming up, work cannot be slowed down,” PM Marape said.
“This time last year, I was under threat from a Vanimo political camp, led by Opposition Leader and Vanimo-Green MP, Hon. Belden Namah.
” Today, 12 months on, I announced several major projects for Vanimo and West Sepik, with the Opposition Leader beside me. “
The Prime Minister also opened the West Sepik Provincial Administration Building, where he said Government would give K4 million to furnish.
He also announced to the people of Vanimo and West Sepik that the Government had allocated K15 million in the 2022 Budget as a collateral to build a new modern hospital in Vanimo; and will be giving K5 million to the province to build a Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) college for the young people of West Sepik.