Juffa content to be part of House

 NORTHERN Governor Gary Juffa has welcomed the decision by the Leader of Government Business and Finance Minister James Marape to move him from the Government benches in Parliament.

“Basically I am satisfied. I just want to state that I am satisfied that I have always spoken up against decisions I feel are not in the best interest of the country or its people. I will continue to do what I have been doing and speak up for PNG. I really don’t care where I sit as long as it’s in parliament,” Juffa said in a statement yesterday.

Marape had said Juffa’s removal from the government benches was based on his criticisms against government policies and announcements. He said the People’s National Congress party had resolved in their caucus meeting to remove the governor and leader of the People’s Movement for Change party from the government benches.

Juffa said he understood the government for making such a decision against him.

“As for the Government’s position I am in agreement and understand. The Government cannot be seen to be divided in issues it has developed policies,” he said.

“Whether one is in government or opposition, the core business for any elected representative in parliament was to hear the cries of the people and make decisions and policies that would always suit their conditions and nothing more.

“I respect the O’Neill Government and the opposition but my views and observations on government policies and announcements in public would continue regardless of where I sit in parliament.”