7 Jun 2011

Acting PNG PM yet to announce Polye and Duma replacements

1:53 pm on 7 June 2011

The acting Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea is yet to announce replacements for the two ministers he's sacked.

The Petroleum Minister William Duma has been dismissed by Sam Abal reportedly because of concerns over his management of land ownership issues in relation to the LNG project.

The editor of the Post Courier Yehiura Hriehwazi says the Mr Abal has also moved against Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Don Polye because of an ongoing battle between the two over leadership of the Highlands grouping of the National Alliance Party.

"Abal has been finding it pretty difficult to have cohesion in cabinet as acting Prime Minister because Polye according to him has not been working together with him and has been a destabilising factor in terms of the Highlands Block not standing behind him."

The sacked ministers told a press conference they are an integral part of the government.

But Yehiura Hriehwazi says Mr Abal and his government remain secure as motions of no confidence cannot be voted on 12 months before an election.