Now is my turn to be PM: Namah

The National Main Stories

By LULU MARK
VANIMO-Green MP Belden Namah says he has supported so many prime ministers during his three terms in Parliament, that it is his turn now to become one too.
During a PNG Party fundraising dinner on Wednesday in Port Moresby, the Opposition Leader in the 10th parliament said he was confident of getting the numbers to form the next government.
“I don’t have to shy away.
“I have made enough prime ministers, so why cannot I become the prime minister (myself)?
“I am equally qualified to be the Prime Minister of PNG.”
The party is endorsing 75 candidates which includes eight women.
The aim is to win 35 seats at least.
“Many will ask how come this guy is endorsing 75 candidates.
“Well, I do not have the kind of money that my friends have.
“But I have God with me.
“One man with God is a majority, and I am in the business of rescuing the country.”
His party proposes to give a tenth of the national budget to the churches, reduce personal and business tax, privatise and corporatise state-owned entities, streamline government departments and create law based on cultural heritage.
He said PNG needed a higher level of leadership that was focused on creating solution by engaging with smart and intelligent Papua New Guineans.
“PNG Party brought in reforms to this country through the founding father, late Sir Mekere Morauta.
“When the leadership under PNC brought the Kina right down, PNG Party came and put the reforms in place.
“Privatise the PNG Banking Corporation, now BSP, and the windfall started to come in and was enjoyed by the National Alliance government.”

Public urged to practise safe sex during polls

By MICHAEL PHILIP
THE National AIDS Council is urging people to practise safe sex during this year’s general election.
Council secretary Tony Lupiwa said statistics showed that AIDS/HIV and sexually transmitted disease (STD) cases would go up during the election period.
“We are concerned about public and personal health.
“This happens because (elections) generate higher social activities.”
He said the council, Electoral Commission and Health Department, had conducted awareness based on the following:

  • VOTE freely and fairly for a healthy nation;
  • PROTECT myself and my family from HIV, STD and the Coronavirus (Covid-19);
  • SPEAK out against all forms of stigma and discrimination;
  • SPEAK out against all forms of violence and abuse; and,
  • RESPECT people’s rights and promote equal participation.

Lupiwa said the council would be distributing condoms and awareness materials.
The current new infection rate of 3,400 a year is likely to increase to 4,000 if people did not take precautions.
“The fact sheet indicates that as of 2020, Papua New Guinea’s HIV prevalence remained at 0.9 per cent with an estimate of 55,000 people living with the HIV.
“Of the total, 35,840 are on anti-retroviral therapy,” he added.

4 women contesting under National Alliance banner

By LULU MAGINDE
FOUR women are among the 61 National Alliance Party candidates to contest seats in this year’s general election, according to party leader Patrick Pruaitch.
During the party national convention in Port Moresby yesterday, he said the 61 embodied the leadership qualities and experience the party was looking for. “(We are) looking for people who have run systems before, have been managers in the private sector before, leaders in their own right, because running the country is a serious matter,” he said.
He said some leaders today changed the laws to suit their interests and agenda.
He is therefore happy that the group selected “is reflective of what NA is looking for in parliamentary leaders”.
One of the more notable women candidates is the former Governor for Eastern Highlands Julie Soso.
Of the 61, 12 are from the Highlands, 22 from Mamose, 16 from Papua and 11 from the New Guinea Islands.
On the departure from the party of Kavieng MP Ian Ling-Stuckey, Pruaitch said he was disappointed with the policies Ling Stuckey had been pursuing, going against the policies and values the party stood for. Pruaitch also suggested revisiting the organic law on political parties to ensure that members should remain with their parties for the five-year term, to encourage stability in the government.
Of the 13 party policies, Pruaitch stressed the importance of public institutional capital and nurturing human capital, the ability to take care of people so that they can then take care of the country.