By Delly Waigeno – EM TV News, Port Moresby
Following the recent cabinet reshuffle, Ben Micah today handed over the portfolio of Public Enterprise and State Investments to William Duma.
Minister Micah was appointed as Minister for Petroleum and Energy. Minister was formerly the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure.
Chairman of Kumul Consolidated Holdings, Paul Nerau, said the change of Ministers is a win-win for PNG and for State Owned Enterprises.
The handover ceremony took place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel this morning before a large audience which included the heads of the eleven State Owned Enterprises.
Kumul Consolidated Holdings Chairman, Paul Nerau, celebrated the legacy of the outgoing Minister, highlighting the relocation of the Port Moresby wharf to Motukea to make way for the development of the CBD area, to be known as Lakatoi City.
He also mentioned the Lae Tidal Basin, Ramu 2 Hydro Project, Port Moresby Sewerage System Upgrade Project and the launch of Kumul Consolidated Holdings.
Mr Micah spoke about the journey of SOE’s from their neglected state in 2012 to their improved standing in 2016. He urged the new Minister to support the proposed policy which will allow SOE’s and the State to be involved in business.
Mr Nerau said under Mr Micah’s watch, the cumulative asset value of all SOE’s managed by Kumul Consolidated Holdings expanded from K5 billion in 2012 to now over K20 billion.
“Minister Micah’s contribution to our country has indeed been monumental,” Mr Nerau said.
Mr Duma called Mr Micah a reformer, and assured him and all heads of SOE’s of continuing with the good work of his predecessor.
To honour Minister Micah’s term of office, Mr Nerau presented the outgoing Minister with three frames – one commemorating the launch of Kumul Consolidated Holdings; one commemorating the Lae Port Project and one containing his final speech as Minister for Public Enterprise and State Investments, made on December 1, 2015.
