Pala retains Rigo seat

MEMBER for Rigo Ano Pala has retained his seat for a second term after polling 8,153 votes.
Pala was declared last Saturday.
In a speech delivered after the signing of his declaration forms, Pala thanked his people, the Electoral Commission, security personnel and foreign governments who had played a major role in the country’s 2012 general election.“I want to thank the people of Rigo for expressing their confidence in me to represent you once again on the floor of parliament for the next five years,” he said.
“To the people of Rigo, especially those who did not vote for me and those who trusted my leadership qualities and did vote for me, I want to say this. I am your member of parliament and I will represent you all equally on the floor of parliament. “I want to thank Electoral Commissioner Andrew Trawen and his staff, volunteers and support staff, members of the PNG Defence Force, Royal PNG Constabulary, Correctional Services and the Australian and New Zealand governments for their assistance and help.
“We are proud in Rigo that the electoral system has worked. It has allowed the people of Rigo to vote freely and peacefully.”Pala said the counting process also conducted in Rigo was a demonstration of the confidence of the Electoral Commission in the system and the institution of state that took on the task at Kwikila, the main counting centre for Rigo. He also paid tribute to all the candidates who participated in the election “for making themselves available, offering their candidacy to the people of Rigo.
Pala invited other leaders and candidates “to come forward and work with me as part of the network of leadership in Rigo to deliver services to our people.
“My focus, vision and number one priority is to build and strengthen institutions of government in the district because I believe that it is not the member of parliament who delivers the services, it is the institutions of state that deliver services. “I want to continue that process of strengthening government services, the staff and the services that strengthen these institutions. “It is part of my vision for Rigo district in the next five years.”