The newly appointed Environment, Conservation and Climate Change Minister John Kaupa and his staff found that the minister’s office was locked yesterday, a day before the scheduled handover-takeover ceremony.
This situation has prompted criticism from his office and a response from the acting head of the Climate Change Development Authority (CCDA).
Minister Kaupa arrived at the office to prepare for formal handover this week but discovered the main office door locked.
The incident was witnessed by media personnel.
The minister’s office said the lock-up had remained in place since Monday under the authority of CCDA Acting Managing Director Debra Sungi.
Minister Kaupa’s First Secretary, Jack Ninkama, described the situation as disrespectful.
“We came yesterday and realized that the second door was locked, and now the main door to the minister’s office was locked.”
“Someone is trying to play around,” Mr. Ninkama told local media.
“For such actions taken by Acting Managing Director Mrs. Debra Sungi, it is totally disrespectful to the State Minister.”
He said the issue should be resolved before the formal handover ceremony.
Mr. Ninkama said Minister Kaupa was not taking office to target or investigate anyone but to begin carrying out his responsibilities.
Minister Kaupa called on staff to work together in the interests of the country.
“I am prepared to take the office formally with you, not to remove you.”
“Whatever personal conflicts within you cannot affect the public office, which is for the people of Papua New Guinea,” he said.
The minister said the incident had disrupted his work programme and expressed disappointment over the situation.
Property manager and director of Amrak Consulting Company, Donna Amory, said she would seek ways to open the office, noting that the premises were leased company property.
“I will find ways to open this door. It is company property under lease. It cannot be locked under the personal interest of a single person,” she said.
Responding to the matter, Acting MD Ms. Sungi said the ministerial handover had not yet taken place because of conflicting announcements regarding the transition.
Prime Minister James Marape announced last week that the Climate Change and Development function of the ministry be stripped of from the Ministry and parked under the Forestry Ministry.
She said CCDA did not have access to the minister’s office and that the official handover from former minister Simo Kilepa to Minister Kaupa was scheduled for today and would be coordinated by the Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (CEPA).
Ms. Sungi said the authority would await confirmation through the official Gazette Notice on the ministerial determination before proceeding.