Who’s who in the tumbril

Only incompetents and the lazy need fear change, says Paias Wingti, as he proceeds with the “rearrangement” of PNG's government and administration.

Brigadier-General Ken Noga, who lost the job of commander of the De fence Force, was going to stand at one time as an election candidate for Michael Somare’s Pangu Pati while his succes sor, Tony Huai, had talked of entering politics under Sir Julius Chan’s Peoples Progressive Party banner.

It was vehemently de nied that Mr Haul’s appointment was political.

He was, in fact, a popular Defence Force chief of operations until he quit at the end of 1984 because, as he said: “The govern ment only wants the De fence Force as cheap labor, and does not care about its standards.” Va rious officers followed him and resigned.

The return of Mr Huai who immediately plan ned a restructuring and demanded the “highest standards of discipline and morale” of his men was widely welcomed by the Defence Force.

Of the other changes of government secretaries, some were due to the reduction of public service departments.

Out went Noro Beang ke at Finance and John Noel at Planning. Their departments were amalgamated and taken over by John Vulupindi.

The outgoing pair were described as competent officers and were prom ised new jobs.

Joe Wal at Civil Avia tion and Arthur Jawodim bari at Culture and Tour ism, had their depart ments merged, too, to be taken over by Godfrey Benjamin.

Paulias Matane, who was knighted in the New Year’s Honors, was already going on ex tended leave from his job as head of Foreign Affairs and had talked about not returning. Bill Dihms now has his job.

Austin Sapias, at Com munications, lost his job to Isreal Edoni, Joe Bal at Housing to Barunke Ka man, Jack Baure at Works to Anthony Temu and Leo Morgan at Pro vincial Affairs to Paul Bengo. Tim Sinclair in Port Moresby.