By Meriba Tulo – EMTV News, Port Moresby
After handing over the reins of the Treasury Ministry to Sam Basil, Charles Abel officially took charge of the Department of Finance today. When addressing Department staff, Minister Abel called on each individual within this key economic department to maintain high professional standards.
The new Finance Minister, Charles Abel, today met with officers from the Department of Finance, a week after being appointed to head the Finance Ministry in the Marape-Steven Government.
In welcoming Minister Abel to his new role, Finance Secretary Dr. Ken Ngangan also took time to highlight some progress made in making the department more efficient in its role. Among these, the roll-out of the Integrated Financial Management System (IFMS) as well as clearing the backlog in the annual public accounts reports, with the department having completed the full year report for 2018.
In taking up his new role, Minister Abel acknowledged the progress made in the last five years within this key government department, and pledged to build on the progress made.
With the economy a key focus of the Marape-Steven Government, Minister Abel has called for the Department to work more efficiently in the months ahead, especially in the revenue raising aspect, also hinting at the need for more visibility in the revenue raising functions of the department.
