No rift with Soso, says Atiyafa

 HENGANOFI MP Robert Atiyafa says there is no need to involve Prime Minister Peter O’Neill to address an issue that can be dealt between two political leaders.

He was responding to comments by Eastern Highlands Governor Julie Soso in The National yesterday.

Atiyafa denied any political differences between him as the Henganofi MP and Soso as the governor had claimed.

“I respect Governor Soso as a female leader and from the same province, but I deny that there is any political difference between us,” Atiyafa said.

“It’s news to me to hear that she is a member of the People’s National Congress Party. I never knew she was a member,” he said.

He said it was not fair to involve in their problem the PNC Party leader Prime Minister Peter O’Neill to intervene when the issue could be solved by them.

 “If this continues, it shows weak leadership and shows that we as leaders are unable to solve our own problems. This justifies our existence as leaders.”

He said there was a need for Soso to be in place, in office as a leader and consult provincial assembly sittings with all members. “The governor should settle in office and not be a frequent settler. She must spend more time in the province with the people. She has been missing in action for the last six months,” he said.

Atiyafa said the issue was about her as a mandated governor of the province to work with the members and the people.

“Her allegations of me not working with her are a complete nonsense, and I find it difficult to accept that I’m behind all this.”

“The bottom line is, it’s about Eastern Highlands and what’s going on in the province. The members are ready to work with her and use avenues available.”

Atiyafa said there was a big need for the governor and the provincial members to get together to discusses provincial issues.