The Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (CEPA) says it has achieved several major milestones over the past three years, including the appointment of the Environmental Council and the passage of the Protected Areas Act.
This was highlighted at a hand-over and take-over ceremony in Port Moresby as the new Environment, Conservation and Climate Change Minister John Kaupa officially took over the ministry last Friday.
The ministerial handover saw Moresby North-East MP John Kaupa replace outgoing Minister Simo Kilepa.
CEPA Managing Director Jude Tukuliya outlined the authority’s achievements and priorities.
Mr. Tukuliya said the Prime Minister’s recent ministerial determination confirmed that both the Conservation and Environment Protection Authority and the Climate Change Development Authority would remain under the same ministry.
However, PM Marape earlier said CCDA would come under the Forestry Ministry.
“I want to put it on record today that I have received a copy of the Prime Minister’s determination informing all government agencies and development partners about the recent reshuffle,” he said.
“On that determination, the Climate Change Development Authority and Conservation and Environment Protection Authority are to remain under the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Climate Change.”
Mr. Tukuliya credited the ministry’s recent achievements to the leadership of former minister Simo Kilepa.
He said CEPA appointed a 14-member Environmental Council and progressed two major resource projects.
“We managed to deliver the Papua LNG project. We managed to deliver the Frieda River project. Those two important projects had been outstanding for some time,” he said.
Mr. Tukuliya described the enactment of the Protected Areas Act as one of the ministry’s biggest achievements.
“The Protected Areas Act was unanimously supported by both sides of Parliament. It will support our communities, provincial governments and other stakeholders in conserving the environment and biodiversity,” he said.
He said the legislation would also encourage development partners to support conservation projects through the Biodiversity Trust Fund.
Mr. Tukuliya said CEPA had also introduced a new organizational structure following his appointment as managing director in 2024 and would soon advertise positions under the new structure.
Looking ahead, he identified the completion of the National Waste Policy, including waste oil and tourism waste management policies, as a key priority.
“As a regulator, we should have had that policy in 2014 when we became an authority. It is still outstanding,” he said.
He also appealed for support to develop CEPA’s staff housing project, saying the authority had held land for 15 years without development.
Welcoming the new minister, Mr. Tukuliya said Mr. Kaupa brought valuable experience from both the public and private sectors.
Minister Kaupa acknowledged the work of his predecessor and pledged to continue strengthening the ministry.
“It will be challenging with only a few months before elections, but we will all work together,” he said.
“We politicians will come and go, but the managing directors and bureaucrats are the ones who keep the ministry going.”
Outgoing Minister Simo Kilepa thanked PM Marape and the Marape-Rosso Government for the opportunity to serve and expressed confidence in his successor.
“Hon. Kaupa has vast experience, and I am sure he will lead. I have full confidence in him,” Mr. Kilepa said.
The ceremony was attended by senior management from CEPA and the Climate Change Development Authority, development partners and media representatives.