Aihi announces plan to split

By LESLIE OMARO
THE Kairuku-Hiri electorate may be split in two starting from the 2017 general election – if MP Paru Aihi’s plan is successful.The People’s National Congress candidate wants to discuss his proposal with party leader Peter O’Neill first to have two separate electorates for Hiri and Kairuku.
Aihi believes it is time the people of Hiri and Kairuku pick their own leaders so that services are equally distributed to the localities.Aihi’s other priority is to improve service delivery at the district level.
Returning officer for Kairuku-Hiri Edward Kila declared Aihi the winner of the seat after he scored the absolute majority of 12,887. It is his second term in parliament.
PNG Party candidate Peter Namea Isoaimo gave Aihi a  good contest but had to finish second on 11,725 votes. Independent candidate Henoa Iduhu, who was leading through the early stages of counting, finished third after being eliminated in count 31.
Another independent candidate Steven John, who was eliminated after count 31, also gave Aihi a good run for his money.John was expecting to collect more votes from his Koiari people.