Tom to fix health system

By Rebecca Kuku
HEALTH Minister Dr Lino Tom says he is keen to get the public health system back in order but warns that there are no quick-fix solutions.
He said after the swearing in of Cabinet ministers at Government House yesterday that the country once enjoyed a “robust” health system a decade ago.
“Ten years ago, Papua New Guinea had a robust public health system that was working,” he said.
“My aim is to restore the system.
“The system had to work again and ensure that people have access to basic health services throughout the country.”
Tom also plans to implement the recommendations of the parliamentary public accounts committee which conducted an inquiry into the health department’s procurement, distribution and supply of medicines and pharmaceutical drugs.
He warns that because it took years for the public health system to reach the state it is in now, it will also take years to fix the system and get it working again. “I have a set of key results areas and will be working with the department and other agencies to ensure that I deliver,” he said.
Wabag MP Tom was one of 32 MPs sworn in as ministers in the new Marape-led Government.
He succeeds Jelta Wong who takes over the Fisheries and Marine Resources portfolio which Tom held previously.

New members surprised by selection

By HELEN TARAWA
TWO new members of parliament – Huon Gulf’s Jason Peter and Lufa’s Simo Kilepa – say they were surprised to be appointed cabinet ministers by Prime Minister James Marape.
Both are members of the United Resource Party led by Hagen MP William Duma, who retains the State Enterprises portfolio.
Peter is the new Minister for Community Development, Religion and Youth while Kilepa is the new Minister for Environment, Conservation and Climate Change.
Peter said it was an honour to be appointed to Cabinet.
“(It is the) first time for me to work in the government system,” he said.
“I’m anxious to work in this department, with the support of the prime minister who (picked) me.”
He said he would review “what the past leadership had done”, fix any loopholes and “take this department to another level”.
Kilepa said: “As a first-timer, I did not expect to be given a ministerial portfolio. But I’m thankful for the opportunity.”
The other URP MPs given ministerial portfolios are Gazelle MP Jelta Wong as Fisheries and Marine Resources Minister and Anglimp-South Wahgi MP Joe Kuli as Minister for Coffee.

Duma: Funding needed to fix aging PPL equipment

By GYNNIE KERO
STATE Enterprises Minister William Duma says funding is needed to fix the aging equipment owned by PNG Power Ltd.
The Hagen MP is one of the 23 ministers from the previous cabinet who are members of the new one. Duma, when asked about the continuous power outages in Port Moresby, blamed them on PNG Power’s “run-down equipment”.
He earlier described the outages as “an unfortunate” situation faced by city residents.
He blamed the recent blackouts on the old “transmission lines and equipment in substations”.
“We have to replace them,” he said.
“Over the years, we have not been able to reinvest in new equipment.”
He said they were awaiting funding. We have been able to source funding from the Asian Development Bank.”
“We are expecting the second tranche to come in around Christmas.
“We will start rehabilitating most of the problem areas or the entire transmission network that has been giving us problems.”

Police, CS under one ministry, says PM

THE Police and Correctional Services departments now come under the new Ministry of Internal Security, says Prime Minister James Marape.
Bougainville Regional MP Peter Tsiamalili Jnr was yesterday sworn in as its minister.
Marape said providing security for the country was high in the Government’s priorities.
“We have created the new Ministry of Internal Security which sees the Police and Correctional Services (departments) come under one ministry to focus on internal law and order issues,” he said.
“Both will report to the same minister.”
Also coming under the ministry are the National Identity Project and the National Narcotics Bureau.
“Its focus is securing our country domestically,” he said.
“The highest priority for this government as we begin the three-year journey to the 50th anniversary of independence is to secure our country.
“In the next decade, we must return our country to being a safe and secure place to live, work and do business.
“We do not have a choice.
“We have to pay attention to this work and give it the emphasis it needs.”
Marape said in the next 10 years, “women and girls will feel safe to walk around the city, attend classes, do business, or go shopping at night”.
Meanwhile, Tsiamalili said he was looking forward to the challenge.
“I will have to give a full report on the status of law and order and its challenges before I can talk about my plans for the ministry,” he said.