By Annette Kora – EMTV News, Port Moresby
Amidst all the handover-takeover ceremonies that have taken place today, one ministerial portfolio that is expected to up its game over the next two years before the 2022 National General Elections is the portfolio of State Owned Enterprise.
Former Governor for West New Britain, Sasindran Muthuvel officially took to office as duly appointed Minister for State owned Enterprise thanking outgoing Minister William Duma in a conference today.
Formalities for the handover were sealed with a handshake between the outgoing minister, William Duma and newly appointed and former governor for West New Britain, Sasindran Muthuvel.
In his outgoing message, Duma said the SoE ministerial portfolio is and has always been a very challenging ministry as the portfolio covers many vital assets that can make or break the economy of Papua New Guinea. He said Minister Muthuvel since entering the national level in the previous elections in 2012, brings a wealth of experience to the table for the ministry.
Duma said that because of the fact that the SoE ministry covers every aspect of the economic culture in PNG, by looking at examples of developed partners like China and Singapore, the latest Kumul Consolidated Holdings structure could help greatly in building the economy which could get government looking at owning most companies in the country.
In accepting the portfolio, Minister Muthuvel said proclamations by several senior ministers that government cannot do business are seen as a challenge.
He hopes that he will bring the ministry to deliver the expectations of the current government.
Adding that with regards to KCH assets, KCH will still be the trustee as until when the KCH Act is repealed.
Muthuvel has also asked that government continues to advance SoE’s, further stressing that government must also pay KCH what is owed to them through the various SoE’s.
Minister Muthuvel has set a target of the end of July for a financial report for all SoE assets to be compiled and published on the KCH website for public scrutiny.
Something the general public can look forward to in the coming months.
