Four former PMs bestow blessings

 FOUR former prime ministers have bestowed their blessings on young new leaders to guide the country to the future.

Former prime ministers Sir Michael Somare, Sir Julius Chan, Sir Rabbie Namaliu and Paias Wingti were with incumbent Peter O’Neill at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Western Highlands 

provincial headquarters in Mt Hagen last Friday, and the launching of infrastructure projects in Dei district.

Sir Michael said he had worked hard with his fellow politicians to develop the nation and the time 

was right for young and vibrant prime ministers like O’Neill to continue from where they had left off.

“We are here to show our support to PM O’Neill so that he can continue what we have started,” he said. 

“It is now time for us to show political maturity through unity to provide the needs of our people and not to continue playing politics. 

“The time to play politics is over and I want to assure you all that we the former prime ministers pledge our support to PM O’Neill so that together we can move this country forward.

“When I first became Prime Minister, we had only a few educated elites to contribute to the development of the country. Now, many of our young ones together with experienced citizens are committing themselves to serving this country and its people.

“It is now time for us the old ones to give mandate to the young politicians to lead us forward.”