Hau’ofa lone woman in race

By JAMIE HARO
ONLY one female candidate is contesting the Moresby South electorate against seven other men in Port Moresby.
Michelle Hau’ofa, who was endorsed by the People’s Party, said she was looking forward to campaigning after receiving her box number during the order of draws on Friday.
“Preparations are going well,” she said.
“We have a team in the communities helping to reach out to the people through civic awareness.”
Michelle said she was reaching out through a civic awareness based on educating people on their rights and responsibilities as citizens and how to vote wisely.
“Don’t just settle for hand-downs, what’s important is to see the people through for the next five to 10 years,” she said.
The daughter of veteran broadcaster and presenter late Roger Hau’ofa said as the only female candidate contesting, she was looking forward to campaigning and represent the voice of women, children youths and men in the electorate.
Michelle is running under the People’s Party banner with party founder and Enga Governor Sir Peter Ipatas also endorsing other women in seats around the country.

Over 30 contesting new seat

THIRTY-five candidates have nominated for the new Hiri-Koiari electorate in Central.
Returning officer Leo Ameua said the first candidate to nominate to contest the seat was New Generation Party candidate and party leader Keith Iduhu.
Keith, 44, of Gaire village is a lawyer by profession and aims to bring reformation and formalise customary land by giving the secured titles to clans.
He was accompanied by his dad, a veteran journalist and secretary for Information and Communication, Henao Iduhu and mother Ulato Iduhu to nominate.
Keith said his nomination was a good start to his race to make it home and represent the people of Hiri-Koiari.
“It was a humbling experience to have supporters from all over the new electorate that attended my nomination in a convoy” he said.

PNG Destiny Party focuses on Christian values, agriculture

By LORRAINE JIMAL

PNG Destiny Party, which does not have an incumbent MP, is fielding 12 candidates in General Election 2022 (GE22), president Pastor Tom Watinga says.
He said the party would campaign on two matters:

• MAKE Papua New Guinea (PNG) a truly Christian nation with emphasis and support to the churches to work together and bring genuine revival and prepare the nation for Christ’s soon return; and,
• MAKE PNG the Asian food
  basket by engaging the rural population, drawing from their natural agriculture skills and produce and export agriculture products to China, India, Indonesia and the rest of the Asia.

“This will generate wealth and create employment for about seven million rural folks, and help praise the Gross Domestic Product,” Watinga said.
“We also invite like-minded, God-fearing, Bible believers who are elected as Independents to team up with us.”

Businessman contesting NCD regional to address social issues

By REBECCA KUKU
WATCHING people getting evicted from their houses when he was young has prompted businessman Ben Dangima to try and do something about the social problem.
“That is why I am venturing into politics to get directly involved,” the 39-year-old said after filing his nomination papers to contest the National District Capital regional seat on a Liberal Party ticket.
Dangima grew up in a little village called Kunabau in Chimbu’s Kerowaghi.
“I first left home after completing grade 12 to study in the University of Technology in Lae,” he said.
“After completing my studies, I came to Port Moresby to look for a job.
“But due to the job scarcity, I started a construction company, making Port Moresby my second home.
“Over the years, I have watched people getting evicted from their houses, families becoming homeless.
“I have seen the struggles of the people striving for access to health services, and other basic services.
“The long queues, the lack of staff to attend to them.
“There is a need to bring about positive changes to all services.
“Safety, security, health and education are the basic rights of everyone that should be addressed.”
Dangima is a father of five.