Ikupu to be nominated today to defend seat

 MOTU-Koitabu Assembly chairman Miria Ikupu is expected to be nominated today at 10am to defend his seat. 

About eight other candidates are running for the seat. 

Ikupu said the past years were very difficult although he had tried his best to serve the Motu-Koitabu people.

“However, people with vested political interest at the national level have been a stumbling block for the assembly under my leadership in delivering basic services.

“One of my visions is the Hope programme where human resource development is the priority for the people of Motu-Koitabu,” Ikupu said.

He said the programme could not continue because the National Capital District Commission (NCDC) had failed to release its monthly grants. 

While Ikupu blamed Governor Powes Parkop for playing politics, he said the actions by Parkop must be seen as negligence and marginalising the landowners of the city of Port Moresby. 

Ikupu said he would not give up or surrender until he got what rightfully belonged to his people. 

“This is our land and we must not be forced to remain as second class of citizens on our own land,” he said. 

The chairman said one of his policies was to provide free education for all Motu-Koitabu children by taking on board the parents’ share of the school subsidy under the national government’s free education policy.

He added that with the delay in the court’s decision on his election petition against Moresby Northwest MP Michael Malabag, he had decided to defend his seat as chairman of MKA while waiting for the court verdict.