I am not a fly-by tourist, says Minape

A CANDIDATE for Enga regional seat says he is not a fly-by tourist as claimed by incumbent Governor Peter Ipatas.
Businessman Mathew Minape said Ipatas should know that tampering with ballot boxes and the engagement of government workers as polling officials could be best described as an attempt at fixing elections.
Minape said to contest an election did not require one to have a permanent home in the province as many politicians did not have houses in their respective pro­vinces.
He challenged Ipatas to tell the people of Enga and the country if he owned or had a house in Enga.
He said the only place the governor could call home was the pastor’s house that he had allegedly forcefully claimed at the Iryele Lutheran station.
Minape said Enga was always a home to him.
“Despite living or conducting business in Port Moresby and Lae, I always return to my roots to be with my people,” he said.
“Unlike Ipatas, who lives on taxpayers’ mo­ney, I am a man of stan­ding in the business community in Lae and Port Moresby and do not accept cheap political shots.
“I have worked hard to become a successful businessman unlike Ipatas,” Minape said.
He claimed there was widespread vote-rigging and vote-buying at the counting centre in Wabag.
“The electoral commissioner should immediately relocate the counting centre for the remaining elimination processes.”