The Member (MP) for Esa’ ala, Jimmy Maladina, who stood down as a government minister almost three months ago over a domestic violence case, has been reinstated to his former ministerial portfolio. Prime Minister (PM) James Marape on the afternoon of Tuesday 08th October confirmed the full reinstatement of Mr. Maladina as the Minister for Petroleum. Mr. Maladina stepped aside from his position early in July this year while a complaint against him was being processed by the Australian police and court. Prime Minister Marape said Mr. Maladina is being restored to his portfolio based on legal advice he has received. “I want to inform the nation that Hon. Jimmy Maladina has been restored to the Petroleum Ministry to continue the work in the petroleum sector. This is happening in consultation with legal advice we have received,” said the PM. The reinstatement of Mr. Maladina now sees the MP for Kerema, Thomas Opa, stepping down as the caretaker minister. “I commend Hon. Thomas Opa for standing in as caretaker during this time and for doing his absolute best in the short period,” Marape said when extending his thank you to the MP. Now that Minister Maladina is back in office, the PM said it’s time to get things done. “I am now looking forward to seeing the progress in P’nyang gas, and Minister Maladina completing the work on Papua LNG, all outstanding issue relating to landowner matters in Papua New Guinea LNG, and completing the present concession to production-sharing regime that we envisage for our country.” “There is much to be done by the Ministry and so I call on all players in the Petroleum sector to give Minister Maladina all your support,” said Prime Minister Marape.