New governor neutral

National

PNG One Nation Party candidate Peter Numu was declared winner of the Eastern Highlands provincial seat in Goroka yesterday.
Numu polled 157,257 votes, more than 34,000 above the absolute majority of 123, 211 while student leader and independent candidate Livingstone Fontenu was runner- up with 88,677 votes.
In his speech after the declaration at the National Sports Institute (NSI) Numu thanked the people of Eastern Highlands for having confidence in him and voting him to be their governor. He promised to work hard to serve them and also work with public servant and lift the province’s service delivery rating.
Julie Soso, the incumbent, was eliminated earlier, leaving no women MPs currently.
“I will also work closely with nine parliamentarians from the province. We will put aside political differences and serve the people,” Numu said.
Numu, who announced that he would not join the Government or the Opposition but sit in the middle bench, said he would build a new market for the people of Eastern Highlands, a project that that was pursued by the previous government.
He thanked the security personnel, electoral commission officials, especially provincial election manager, Steven Gore Kaupa, members of the provincial election steering committee, polling and counting officials and all who had contributed to deliver a peaceful election.
Chairman of the elections steering committee Samson Akunai congratulated Numu and welcomed him.