O’Neill, Marape commended for smooth change of seat

SOUTHERN Highlands Governor William Powi has commended the Prime Minister James Marape and his predecessor Peter O’Neill for their conduct during the change of leadership last week.
Powi congratulated Member for Tari-Pori James Marape after Parliament elected him the eighth prime minister last Thursday.
“I commend Marape and O’Neill, who have tested, and played democratic politics, the game the founding fathers have played,” Powi said.
“We have been playing this games, our people have been spectators, watching us on social media, TV or the daily newspapers or on the sidelines and on the corridors of Parliament.
“Marape and O’Neill, the captains of the political game are from the same political party.
“They both came from the same province until 2012 and they are good friends but what has surprised many of us, is when it cames to how best we can serve our people, the two differed in many respects.”
Powi said Marape, a son of a SDA pastor, promised his people of Tari-Pori that if he could not get the state to seal the Highlands Highway from Mendi to Hela and all the way to Komo and Kopiago and into the Strickland, he would leave the Government.
“I’ve heard that from him many times, and we all heard from him yesterday. He left his ministry and his privileges for the sake of his people when he resigned and walked out. He lived up to his words to his people when he walked out.
“Marape you have proven to your people that you are a man of your word. Leaders in this honourable House can take comfort knowing that they now have a prime minister who can keep his word, replacing a very talented, practical, and visionary leader in Peter O’Neill.”