Akoitai sworn in as new Central B’ville MP

By LUKE KAMA
SAM Akoitai has been sworn in by Speaker Job Pomat as the new Central Bougainville MP after a recount
of votes from the 2017 general election.
He replaces Fr Simon Dumarinu who was declared the winner after the general election, and later appointed the Minister for Bougainville Affairs.
But Akotai filed an election petition which ordered a recount.
The result showed that he had won the election although by a small margin.
Akoitai’s will attend first sitting in parliament on May 22.
He said he filed the election petition because he was not satisfied with the counting process.
“I am pleased that justice has been served to the people of South Bougainville. My focus now will be on addressing law and order in Central Bougainville because we have Bougainville Peace Agreement that both the national government and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville needed to adhere to.”
He had contested as an independent candidate but is a founding member of the People’s National Congress Party.
“So obviously, I need to be in government to deliver services to my people and I must make it clear that I am an integral part of the government,” he said.
He thanked Dumarinu and other candidates who contested the seat and urged them to work with him implement the Bougainville Peace Agreement and serve the people.