By Meriba Tulo – EMTV News, Port Moresby
Daniel Kombuk has been appointed Acting Secretary for the Department of Agriculture. His appointment was announced today, Tuesday, March 2, by Agriculture Minister Benny Allen.
Mr. Kombuk takes over from Francis Daink, who had acted in this position for nine months.
According to Minister Allen, whilst the department now has another acting secretary, the process of appointing a permanent departmental head will soon begin.
Since mid-2018, the Department of Agriculture had had an Acting Secretary in Francis Daink. Daink had been appointed following the expiration of term for former Secretary, Dr. Vele Pat Ila’ava.
Daniel Kombuk is not new to the department, having worked in agriculture for over 27 years. According to Minister Allen, whilst Kombuk has been appointed, there will not be drastic changes to policies under his tenure.
The appointment of Kombuk comes nine months since the department last had a permanent appointment to the department’s top post.
According to Minister Allen, nine months is a long time for a critical government department to not have a confirmed head, and is hopeful that processes to appoint a Department Secretary will begin immediately.
