Four join forces

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By MALUM NALU
THREE political parties have signed an agreement with Prime Minister Peter O’Neill to team up with his People’s National Congress party in the formation of a coalition government.
Those who signed the pact yesterday were Sir Julius Chan (People’s Progress Party), William Duma (United Resources Party) and Powes Parkop (Social Democratic Party). Two elected Independent MPs from Hela had earlier agreed to align themselves with the PNC.
As at 6pm yesterday, PNC had won 23 seats, PPP five and URP four. Parkop is still awaiting the completion of counting for the NCD regional seat where he is leading the race.
In a joint statement, the leaders agreed to support a PNC-led Government for the 10th Parliament.
“A PNC-led Government has had the opportunity to manage the affairs of the nation for the past five years,” the statement said.
“Through a most challenging time in the global economy, and through one of the worst droughts in history, the PNC-led Government has insulated our economy and our communities from these shocks.
“During the past five years,
the Government has delivered unprecedented growth through the delivery of clear and targeted policies.
“There have been programmes and policies that could have been run with greater efficiency, and lessons have been learnt.
“The new Government will increase its capability to meet the expectations of our people.
“Drawing on the experience of the past five years, our Government in the next Parliament, will work as a group to manage all challenges that we face.
“We will further work together to expand the delivery of services and infrastructure development to our remote and rural areas in all regions.”
The PNC yesterday picked up two more seats yesterday – Waka Goi wining in Jimi, Jiwaka and Robert Atiyafa retaining his Henganofi seat in Eastern Highlands.
O’Neill told The National that Goi was “a very good, humble leader. It’s a well-deserved win”.
He also described Atiyafa as “a hard-working MP”.
O’Neill said the wins by PNC members around the country demonstrated the nation-wide appeal of the PNC-led Government and its policies.
“Our Government for the next Parliament will be nationwide and consultative, not focused on any single region,” O’Neill said.
“Regionalism and selfishness that comes from exclusion will never be a part of a PNC-led Government.
“PNC candidates are being elected in significant numbers around the country from island and costal through to highlands communities.
“When we form Government, we will serve all districts and provinces without bias and advance Papua New Guinea together.
“Ours is a Government that has never discriminated and we will maintain our focus on being equitable and fair for every district and province.
“This has been a hallmark of our Government over the last five years and this will continue.”
He said as a truly national party, “we welcome or partners that have a strong representation in each region, and we will all work together on national policy delivery”.