East Sepik NA awaits word from Sir Michael

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The National – Friday, July 1, 2011

THE East Sepik National Alliance branch, while sad to hear that Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare is to retire from politics, will wait for him to tell them himself.
Branch president Henry Takombe and his executives said although they respected the wishes of the family, they would still “wait for Sir Michael to tell the people of East Sepik of his intention when he leaves the hospital”.
Takombe said the people of East Sepik gave him the mandate to be their regional MP and would await his word and not that of his family.
He said under the leadership of Sir Michael, they had initiated many projects.
He said the party executives wanted Sir Michael to remain in office to fully implement those projects.
Takombe said they would be happy if Sir Michael elected  to step down as prime minister but wanted him to return to the province and serve as governor in the remaining months before the general election next year.
He also lashed out at Deputy Opposition leader and Bulolo MP Sam Basil for making misleading statements regarding the position of prime minister.
Takombe said Arthur Somare, under the National Alliance party constitution, “is not eligible to contest the prime minister’s post when it becomes vacant as he is not a deputy parliamentary leader from any of the four regions in the country”.
He said Basil should refrain from making unfounded allegations and playing dirty politics aimed at luring support from Papua New Guineans to change the government.
Takombe commended Acting Prime Minister Sam Abal for his recent cabinet reshuffle and congratulated Aitape-Lumi MP Patrick Pruaitch on being reappointed minister for finance and treasury.