Independents free to pick party

By MALUM NALU
PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill is leaving it to the two newly-elected Hela MPs — who contested the election as independent candidates — to decide which party they want to join.
He said this yesterday when welcoming Komo-Magarima MP-elect Manasseh Makiba and Koroba-Lake Kopiago MP-elect Petrus Thomas at the Jackson International Airport yesterday.
Makiba, 33, is a lawyer by profession.
Petrus, 43, is a surveyor and a former PNG Kumuls player.
Makiba was declared on Monday while Petrus was declared last Saturday.
“It’s too early to count numbers and do things,” O’Neill said. “These are independent leaders in their own right and have been elected by the people on their own merits.
“We’ll let them make their own decisions.
“We are not in a hurry to have MPs join parties on the run.
“They have to be comfortable and confident that they’re joining the right party for the right reason.
“The PNC has got a very strong record out there.
“Voters throughout the country have responded well.
“We have lost some good members but we are also gained some new blood for our party as well.”
O’Neill said Hela was a “very important province and it’s good to see that its MPs-elect are going to work together so that the province is managed with accountability”. “That is to bring stability and more services to our people in Hela,” he said.
“We look forward to working with them over the next five years, and making a difference for the province.
“I am certain these leaders can work and deliver the services and benefits that their people deserve.”