Pala hands over ministry to Tabar

Caption:  (L) Minister Tabar shaking hands with the former Minister Ano Pala, Transport Secretary Roy Mumu looks on. 

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, June 29, 2014 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

AFTER being sworn in at Government House last week as the new Minister for Transport in the country, Gazelle Open Member Malakai Tabar, was handed the ministry in a formal ceremony held last week, at the Department of Transport headquarters at 7 Mile, Port Moresby.

The former minister, Member for Rigo, and current Justice Minister and Attorney General Ano Pala handed over the office to the newly appointed minister.

In congratulating the minister, the Member for Rigo thanked the Secretary for Transport Roy Mumu and the staff of the department for their tireless efforts working with him to run the country’s transport sector.

He reminded them that as politicians in office, ministry appointment were always temporary, but reminded them of the importance of their solidarity as a department despite any change.

“Of the six years I have been in politics, I have been moved six times, which is part of the job, whereas for you as a department must remain professional and continue to serve the country,” the Justice Minister said.

“I thank the Secretary for the competent manner and the advice in which he has given the department in my time here.”

He highlighted some of the achievements in the sector like the launch of the National Transport Strategy and the passing of legislations for the new Road Traffic Authority.

Mr Pala called on his colleague to maintain all the progress that have been made- reminding him that as politician they where there to assist in terms of making sure government policies were implement and to not interfere with the operations of departments.

Sentiments that were shared by the new minister, who added that it was vital that the running of the department to the professionals in order for progress to be maintained.

“With good cooperation and coordination in the department we will work together effectively,” Minister Tabar said.

“I will spend the next weeks to be briefed to understand the systems here- and we will lead in terms of policy, however the implementations are to be effectively done through the department.”

Minister Tabar reminded his department of the belief that country must have an effective transport system.

“We need to make changes in order to bring in confidence to the traveling public of the system.”