Tuesday, January 04, 2011

Acting Prime Minister clears air on top job

By JEFFREY ELAPA

 

PRIME Minister Sir Michael Somare can resume work at any time, acting Prime Minister Sam Abal said yesterday, The National reports.

He said what mattered was that the programme of government must and would continue.

Abal said in order to realise Vision 2050, the government’s plans and strategies, like the medium-term development plan 2010-15, must be implemented in line with the government’s 2011 budget.

The acting prime minister said at his Morauta Haus office that the implementation process would start with the recalling of all departmental heads and government ministers for a briefing on Friday and Saturday.

A meeting with all governors was also scheduled for next Monday. Parliament will resume next Tuesday to vote in a new governor-general.

Abal said the prime minister was on leave after stepping aside when he was referred to a leadership tribunal.

“We must understand that stepping aside and resigning are two different things.

“We must understand that the prime minister is on leave and can come back and take up his substantive post when he feels like it.

“He can start at anytime,” Abal said.

He also brushed aside claims that the National Alliance highlands branch was shaky after his elevation to deputy prime minister and acting prime minister while demoting fellow Engan and Kandep MP Don Polye.

The deputy prime minister said all coalition partners were intact.

 

 

 

 

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