Papua New Guinea Opposition leader James Nomane has called for a reduction in Cabinet ministers so that there are fewer portfolios, clearer mandates and measurable objectives to improve public service performance.
He said that while Prime Minister James Marape’s decision to suspend certain agency heads was commendable, the fault lay with ministers for failing to be accountable for their agencies.
“You cannot demand performance from 70 agencies while excusing incompetence among 40 ministers,” Nomane said.
Nomane said the Opposition was offering a sequenced alternative, not a purge.
“First, stabilise: lawful acting appointments in every agency from day,” he said.
“Second, investigate: independent, time-bound reviews within 90 days. Third, adjudicate: graduated sanctions applied without fear or favour, ministers included.
“Fourth, rebuild: merit-based appointments under performance contracts with quarterly public reporting. Sequence, not spectacle. Management, not theatre.”
He added that suspending public servants alone was cowardice dressed as courage.
“Every suspended agency head answers to a minister.
“Where were those ministers when the reports never came? Ministerial responsibility is not a ceremonial sash; it is a constitutional duty.
“If 70 officials must face suspension, then the ministers who presided over their failure must face the sack.
“Accountability that stops at the public service and spares the Cabinet table is selective justice,” he said.
