People pack chambers in Wewak to witness nominations

 By GABRIEL FITO

THE Wewak council chambers was packed to capacity yesterday as men, women and children flocked to witness the nomination of their candidates for the five local level government (LLG) presidents’ seats and more than 100 councillors’ seats.

Nominations kicked off on a slow note when writs were issued last Thursday but gained momentum yesterday as the assistant returning officers expect a busy day today to include all candidates before the close of nominations this afternoon.

Notable candidates who are expected to be nominated today include informal sector promoter Mathew Wangi (Wewak urban LLG), David Kausik (Turubu) and Francis Hevu (Wewak Rural LLG).

Meanwhile, a young educator has raised his hands up for the prestigious Wewak town mayor’s seat race.

Mark Lahin, originally from Bima village in the Yangoru-Saussia district, is a high school supervisor with the Accelerated Christian Education schools in Wewak.

“I intend to support both formal and informal education so that we develop our young people with skills and know­ledge to fend for themselves,” he said.

“My other areas of interest are promoting informal business sector and law and order so that our mothers and sisters are given the freedom to move around freely in town without any form of threat, harassment or intimidation,” Lahin said.  

Wewak Urban LLG returning officer Petrus Salem said incumbent town mayor Peter Saun nominated late yesterday afternoon but could not release the number of candidates who were nominated since writs were issued.