Marape resigns from NA to join ranks with O’Neill

TARI-Pori MP James Marape has resigned from the National Alliance Party to join Prime Minister Peter O’Neill’s People’s National Congress Party.
Marape, the chairman of the Hela Transitional Authority, said he was leaving the National Alliance with a lot of sadness as he was a senior member and also became its deputy party leader for Highlands and a senior minister.
He said his duties as HTA chairman had to take precedence over his own personal political interest.
“In my role as chairman of Hela, I must enter into discussions with the chairman of NEC and Prime Minister, hence I need to take my place at the negotiating table for Hela,” he said.
“There are important outstanding issues like discussing the splits of the Hela and Southern Highlands assets.
“This includes proceeds from the LNG project which is currently part of Southern Highlands provincial government.”
Marape said the discussions must take place before the election writs were issued on April 27.
“Because of these outstanding Hela issues, I now take my place in the middle bench to offer support to Parliament-elected Prime Minister Peter O’Neill.
“I announced my resignation which was accepted in person by Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare on Sunday, February 19 during the NA meeting.
“I will now request the Speaker to find me a place as an Independent MP with the view of working closely with Prime Minister O’Neill’s government while awaiting formalities of resignation to be completed by the NA and Office of Political Parties and candidates.
“I am indicating a strong support for the PNC Party because of Prime Minister O’Neill’s view on key infrastructure in Southern Highlands and Hela including the long outstanding road reconstruction and sealing from Mendi to Kopiago.”
Marape announced his resignation in front of key Hela figures including Sir Matiabe Yuwi, Hela Gimbu Association president Damien Arabagali and Larry Andagali in Parliament.