Leader vows to maintain checks and balances

NEWLY-elected opposition leader and PNG Party leader Belden Namah has assured the nation that the new group of young leaders will keep checks and balances in the interest of the people.
Namah said during a media conference at the parliament B1 conference room yesterday, after being voted in as new opposition leader, that he was ready for the challenge.
He takes over from Moresby Northwest MP Sir Mekere Morauta.
The Vanimo-Green MP said that there were many wise people in the opposition like Sir Mekere, Bart Philemon, Sir Puka Temu and Dr Bob Danaya who had the wisdom, the experience and the knowledge to share and advise them.
He said he was ready to provide a strong and vibrant voice on the other side of the floor.
His deputy and Bulolo MP Sam Basil assured the nation that they were prepared and could take the opposition forward despite being first-timers in parliament.
Basil said they had learnt a lot and were prepared to follow in the footsteps of the old guard.
Namah said after the recent PNG Party convention in Port Moresby, the party had come up with major policies that would guide them into next year’s general election.
He said free education would be reintroduced throughout PNG, starting from elementary to secondary school including vocational and technical institutions and CODE.
He said other major policies were:
*Introducing basic health for Papua New Guineans;
*Establishing four major regional hospitals and converting Port Moresby General Hospital to international standard;
*Landowners to take ownership of all resources;
*Introducing cadetship to address the attitude problem in the country; and
*Addressing security issues in the country.
He said health and education were the basic right of the people and “any government should make sure everyone benefits”.