No-show MPs stop swearing-in

By DOROTHY MARK
AN attempt by Madang Governor Peter Yama to be sworn in at the Madang provincial government’s house of assembly last Friday was called off when the other six MPs failed to show up.
Yama was escorted to the Sir Bato Bultin office complex by his People’s Labour Party executives and supporters to where the swearing-in ceremony was to be held.
Public servants and local level government presidents were waiting when Yama and his team arrived.
He was escorted by assembly clerk Rachael Bultin into her office.
Later the provincial government’s protocol officer Mandos Pileng announced that the swearing-in had been postponed to Tuesday (tomorrow).
Yama said the swearing-in would be done properly when all the MPs were present.
The MPs are Middle Ramu MP Jonny Ananaias Alonk, Bogia MP Robert Naguri, Sumkar MP Chris Nangoi, Madang MP Bryan Kramer, Raicoast MP Peter Sapia and Usino Bundi MP Jimmy Uguro.
Yama and Alonk are on the government side while the others are in the Opposition.
He said he chose to be on the government side because he was the last MP in Madang to be declared and saw that the side had already been invited to form the government.
“I joined the government in the best interest of the people of Madang,” Yama said.
“Regardless of the politicking, securing tangible development for the province is a priority.”