Four Cabinet Ministers to be reshuffled on May 1 [1]
Saturday, April 21, 2012 - 08:49. Updated on Monday, September 9, 2013 - 18:40.
Government this afternoon announced the reshuffle of four of its Cabinet Ministers to be effective on May 1.
The Prime Minister's Office stated that the ministerial re-assignment included the following changes in portfolio: Hon Lisiate 'Akolo becomes Minister of Finance and National Planning; Hon Sunia Fili becomes Minister of Police, Prisons & Fire Services; and Hon Sosefo Fe'ao Vakata becomes Minister for Revenue Services.
Lord Vaea will take up two portfolios, Minister for Training, Employment, Youth and Sports in addition to his current one as Minister for Agriculture, Food, Forests and Fisheries.
The former Minister for Training, Employment, Youth and Sports Hon Fe'ao Vakatawill take up his new portfolio at Revenue Services.
The Acting Secretary and Secretary to Cabinet Alfred Soakai told Matangi Tonga that the re-shuffle involved existing ministries.
After that the new ministries, like the Ministry of Internal Affairs, would come into effect on July 1 with the new structure of government.
This is the second time that the current Cabinet has reshuffled its ministerial portfolios in just over a year.
Revised
The statement said the new government's restructuring is on track for July 1 along with a stated commitment to "streamlining the public service and undertaking this program to achieve a more effective, efficient and affordable services".
"Cabinet revised the new government ministries with a slight revision from the prior approved 13 ministries with the addition of a Ministry of Revenue Services as a standalone ministry."
The new structure will include 14 Ministries:
1. Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
2. Prime Minister's Office
3. Ministry of Finance and National Planning;
4. Ministry of Revenue Services
5. Ministry of Public Enterprises
6. Ministry of Internal Affairs
7. Ministry of Justice
8. Ministry of Police, Prisons and Fire Services
9. Ministry of Health
10. Ministry of Education and Training
11. Ministry of Commerce and Tourism
12. Ministry of Agriculture, Food, Forests and Fisheries
13. Ministry of Infrastructure
14. Ministry of Lands, Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources
Meanwhile, efforts to recruit six CEO positions, including two vacant and four new positions started in January, and all positions are expected to be filled before July 1.