Leadership determines future: PM

By Rebecca Kuku in East New Britain
THE leadership of a country will determine whether it suffers or prospers, says Prime Minister James Marape.
Marape, who was in East New Britain yesterday to attend a Pangu Pati campaign rally, told the people that they had the power to decide who becomes the country’s leader.
“When you want to vote for a candidate, look at the party that endorses him or her, and ask what the party’s policies are,” he said.
“All these parties (want to) form the next government.
“If you vote for a PNC candidate, or a Pangu candidate, that vote will play an important role in who forms the next government. Pangu is the mama party that fought and gained independence for the country.
“A mother will not watch her child suffer.
“Pangu will not let the people down.”
He said Pangu would deliver government services equally to all parts of the country through the “Connect PNG” policy.
“Ask what policies a party has before you vote for the party that you believe should lead the country.”

Parties can promote their colours, says official

POLITICAL parties are institutions and allowed to promote their party colours in the 2022 General Election, a party official says.
Pangu Pati general-secretary Dogimai Morris Tovebae said there was no law to stop a political party from supplying its merchandise when campaigning.
He was commenting on a statement by Ialibu-Pangia MP Peter O’Neill on Monday in Northern warning voters to be wary of “sweet words”.
“The former prime minister’s comments were not right. Parties are allowed to supply merchandise, promote their colours and policies,” he said.
Tovebai said Pangu had existed since 1967 championing its slogan of “Pangu is here to stay and friends to all”. He called on O’Neill to stop being “critical of” political party colours and concentrate on campaigning for his People’s National Congress party candidates.

Marape urges people to elect Pangu, partners’ candidates

PRIME Minister James Marape has urged voters to give his Pangu Pati and its coalition partners’ candidates the first three preferences “if you believe in nationalistic leaders”.
“Pangu is a nationalistic party. Back in the 60s when (the party) was formed, it had a dream of uniting Papua and New Guinea,” he said.
“And the current like-minded leaders in Pangu are also nationalistic leaders who believe in changing PNG as a country and giving the country economic independence.”
Marape said Pangu would promote the equal distribution of government services and infrastructure development.
Marape said he was not afraid of his government’s statistics on connecting PNG with roads, and providing health, education services and infrastructure development.
He said it was why he invited former prime minister and People’s National Congress Party leader Peter O’Neill to a public debate.
“I have statistics. I know my numbers. And numbers don’t lie. But he refused to engage in an open debate,” he said. Marape also assured the people that a Pangu-led government would fight corruption.
“We will fight to take back the country’s money and properties lost through corruption,” he said.
“In education, more than 50,000 students were given a second chance and have completed their education through the distance education programmes.
“The Pangu-led government support SMEs and have given out contracts to nationally-owned companies.
“The country now owns 51 per cent of Porgera. We will fight to take back PNG resources.
“We believe in empowering our people.”