Losses no setback, says Gure

LOSING three candidates, including two incumbent MPs, is not a setback for the United Labour Party (ULP), its leader Lekwa Gure says.
“It has triggered us to work harder to reinforce our performance for General Election 2022 (GE22),” he added.
Gure, who is also the incumbent Rigo MP, spoke on arrival of Sumkar MP Chris Nangoi’s remains on Tuesday evening.
“The losses have given us all the more reason to perform better. Others may see it in a different light but these things reinforce our resolve and for all ULP candidates to do their level best to win,”he said.
Gure said from fielding 68 candidates, “we now have 58 candidates vying for seats nationwide in GE22”.
“We initially had 68 candidates but that is now down to 61 and that is the last figure we have.
“Our candidates are all fired up for GE22 victory.
“Despite of the lack of resources, everyone wants to do well for the party to keep the orange flag flying.
“We want to keep the flame burning and the flag flying in memory of the late (Deputy Prime Minister Sam) Basil.

Body of Sumkar MP Nangoi to lie in state next week

THE body of Sumkar MP the late Chris Yer Nangoi will lie in state next week for the state and parliament to pay their respects.
Nangoi’s body arrived in Port Moresby from Lae on Tuesday evening accompanied by his wife Jane, three children and family members.
Parliament will take charge of the programme for the state funeral.
Nangoi is the third candidate and second MP under the United Labour Party (ULP) to die within weeks as the General Election 2022 (GE22) was set to begin.
He became the third ULP member and ninth MP to die in office.
ULP leader and Rigo MP Lekwa Gure, who was at the airport, told The National that it was a major loss for the party, especially at this time of the general election.

“It’s almost a month since the late Sam Basil’s passing that late Nangoi has passed on as well,” he said.
“After the passing of Sam Basil, a week later we lost our candidate for Kundiawa-Gembogl, Willie Kupo.
“These things happen and we are taking those things in our stride.”
Gure said Kupo had filed his nomination in his province and was in Port Moresby for other administrative matters and died at his residence.
Nangoi was taken to Modilon General Hospital in Madang on Thursday with breathing difficulties.
Madang Health Authority chief executive officer Fidelis Waipma confirmed that Nangoi died of a heart attack in the hospital at about 4.30pm.

People outline lack of services in Morobe LLG

PEOPLE in the Morobe local level government area have outlined lack of police presence, health services and risky and costly trips as major hindrances to development in the area.
The people outlined these when one of the candidates for Huon Gulf open seat John Kasu visited villages along the headwaters of Waria River over the weekend.
Former National Fisheries Authority (NFA) managing director and independent candidate Kasu visited the villages of Zare, Aingse, Yaipa, Putaira, Siu and Pema.
People in those villages outlined to Kasu that with basic service lacking in the area, sea piracy had increased over the last decade, further affecting development.
A councillor speaking anonymously said it was a challenge just to get to the district office in Lae to do a formal query.
During his visit there, Kasu outlined his policies and plans to prioritise building of jetties, roads and airstrips and most importantly to decentralise the functions of the district administration to the local level government (LLG) level.
“When decentralising district administration functions to the LLG level it simply means having the public servants based at the LLG office and doing extension work into rural communities,” he said.
He said another aspect was to fix the district administration and ensure some of its functions were decentralised to the three LLGs of Wampar, Salamaua and Morobe.
“This is one way basic service deliveries into rural communities will be effective as public servants are based where the people are and they (public servants) would know exactly where need areas are.
“There was once trucks running on the road, planes flying into the airstrip and ships using the jetty. It’s all no longer operating, so that means we have to bring these important services back so people can access the markets and make money here without going to Lae.
“It’s important to get the right person into office to lead and I believe I have the experience and expertise.”

Do regular check-ups: PM

By HELEN TARAWA
PRIME Minister James Marape has urged all citizens, including MPs, to have their health checked regularly and be responsible for their lifestyles.
Marape made the remarks following the death of Sumkar MP Chris Nangoi last week.
Nangoi died of heart attack at the Modilon General Hospital in Madang last Thursday, according to provincial health authority chief executive officer Fidelis Waipma.
“I want to ask our people, including elected and non-elected leaders, to do regular health checks and also take responsibility over our own life styles because to not do so can be detrimental to our own lives,” he said.
“During this election period, don’t stress or over-push yourself. That can have a toll on your life,” he said.
Marape, while offering his condolences to Nangoi’s family, said a lot of citizens were dying of lifestyle diseases.
Meanwhile, Marape said the state will accord the respect to the late Nangoi.
Nangoi’s body arrived in Port Moresby from Lae on Tuesday for a state funeral being organised by Parliament officials.
Marape, while not disclosing details of the funeral arrangements, told The National that the programme would be led by Speaker of the National Parliament to deliver Nangoi’s body back to Madang for burial.
“We will offer him his due respect led by our Speaker of National Parliament and deliver the body back to Madang for burial,” Marape said. “I pass my sincere condolences to the family on the leader’s passing.
“He was a fine young leader who was dedicated to serving his rural electorate and it is rather sad and unfortunate that he passed on the campaign trail.
“I wish his children and family comfort and his people fill the vacuum with a good replacement through this election process,” Marape said.