Prime Minister Hon. James Marape yesterday (Monday Jan 4) welcomed the new Secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and National Executive Council, Ambassador Ivan Pomaleu.
Prime Minister Marape said abolishing of the Chief Secretary to Government’s position and replacing it with a Secretary position was to maintain a flatter Government structure without compromising the integrity of the process of policy-making and implementation for Cabinet to deliberate on.
“This does not mean this department has lost its standing as the premium department of the Government,” he said.
“Hence, Secretary of this Department still remains Chairman of the Central Agency and Coordination Committee (CACC).
“However, other departmental heads may now be able to report directly to their respective Ministers.”
Prime Minister Marape acknowledged the outgoing and last Chief Secretary to Government, Ambassador Isaac Lupari, for his service to governments and country over the years.
“The outgoing and last Chief Secretary to Government (Lupari) did not apply for this Secretary position for his own reasons,” he said.
“This Government expresses our greatest gratitude for his services to our country, not only as the Chief Secretary to Government, but as Secretary to various departments in his previous capacities.”
Secretary Pomaleu, in thanking Prime Minister Marape and the senior public servants of his Department for the warm welcome, said he was humbled for being given the opportunity to head this department and looked forward to working with and learning from everyone during his tenure.
“I also look forward to using the Office of the Secretary to empower our agriculture and small and medium enterprise (SME) sector throughout our country,” he said.
“I appreciate the experience all of you bring to the table and I look forward to working with you all throughout my tenure.”
Secretary Pomaleu thanked Amb. Lupari as for leading this department and others with high esteem.
Prime Minister Marape thanked department staff for their ongoing efforts thus far, since taking Office as the Prime Minister in June 2019.
