The member for Kikori Soroi Eoe has taken up the role as acting minister for the Department of Commerce and Industry (DCI) while continuing his mandated duties in the Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs Department as Minister responsible.
The National Executive Council (NEC) made the announcement in light of a court decision that declared incumbent Minister Henry Amuli’s elections as member of parliament null and void.
The NEC directive is solely for stability whilst the Amuli continues to contest a National Court decision.
Minister Eoe met with divisional heads of DCI over the weekend for a briefing to discuss the departments current work status.
Minister Eoe encouraged his new departmental heads to focus on its mandated task in creating a sustainable socio-economic growth for the country.
“DCI plays a vital role in the growth of our country’s economy on a global scale and we must maximise on both our natural and human resources to achieve this”.
Minister Eoe commended DCI Secretary David Ganai and senior staff for each providing their respective briefs and pledged his support to ensure issues are identified and addressed in his term as Acting Minister.