PM: It’s your time now

By REBECCA KUKU
GENERAL Election 2022 is the opportunity for Papua New Guineans to elect leaders to form the next Government, Prime Minister James Marape says.
“It is your right to exercise your power once in every five years,” he said.
“So, listen and make a wise decision.”
Marape, who was in Tari to file his nomination papers on Thursday, said voters should assess political party policies when choosing their leaders.
“So do not just vote for candidates, vote for the party for a new strong and stable Government,” he added.
“It is now your turn, to speak up through your ballot papers on who should form the new Government.
“Vote for the party that you believe in and should form the next Government.
“That is a very important factor in your decision-making because the party with the highest number of elected will be invited to form the next Government.”
Marape also called on the people of Hela, to respect one another during the election.
“Do not fight with other party or candidate supporters because everyone has the right to contest for any seat in Hela.
“Their supporters also have the right to choose who to vote for.
“If you choose to support me, or Pangu, do so through the ballot papers.”
Marape said both police and soldiers would be stationed in Hela to ensure a peaceful environment for the people to cast their ballots.

Former dept secretary contesting for Rigo seat

By SULI SULI
RIGO’S Independent candidate Dickson Guina says the says the district has seen little progress over the last five years.
Guina, who was nominated on Thursday at Kwikila nomination centre, said Rigo needed a political change to better its basic services to the people.
“You have seen and witnessed how Kwikila looks and it speaks for itself that we have not progressed.”
The former Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs Department secretary said Rigo had many issues and challenges that needed to be addressed.
“Rigo has been ranked as one of the least developed districts in the country,” he said.
“We have poor infrastructure, especially roads.
“Our primary health sector lacks support in terms of basic medical equipment and facilities.
“We have poor quality of education and lack of technical and vocational institutions.”
Guina, who had served in the public sector for more than 30 years, said he believed he had the experience to lead the people of Rigo in the next five years.
“I can make it happen for Rigo if given the chance,” he added.
Using the right channel, we can change the district.”
Guina said the district had yet to utilise the majority of its resources and that would need a leader with the vision to exploit the socio-economic potentials.

Opa tries again for Kerema seat

NOMINATION of General Election 2022 (GE22) hopefuls in Kerema kicked off on Thursday with GE17’s first runner-up, Thomas Opa, nominated to fill the vacuum.
The seat was left vacant following the death of Richard Mendani (United Resource Party) on March 20 last year.
Opa is contesting on ruling party, Pangu Pati’s ticket.
Pangu has also endorsed incumbent governor Chris Haiveta for Gulf and Kikori MP Soroi Eoe.

Gure ready to be next prime minister if re-elected

By AILEEN KWARAGU
UNITED Labour Party (ULP) leader and Rigo MP Lekwa Gure says he is ready to be the next Prime Minister if his party forms government after the 2022 general election.
Gure said ascending to the party leadership after the tragic passing of incumbent Sam Basil had conferred on him the privilege of being a viable candidate for the prime ministership if he was returned as Rigo MP.
He said the death of former ULP leader and Deputy Prime Minister, Sam Basil had shaken the party however, its members had regrouped and set about campaigning for their endorsed seats.
Gure said the party had held a caucus meeting in Port Moresby on May 15 four days after Basil’s death and the members had initially wanted the leadership to remain in Morobe.
The Rigo MP and former civil aviation minister said he had served as a member of the party’s parliamentary wing and had been involved in its administration and policy formation working alongside Basil.
He reassured fellow ULP members that he welcomed the challenge of party leadership and was of his credentials to be a prime minister if ULP was able to garner enough numbers to be a major player in the formation of the 11th Parliament.
“I would raise my hand if the party eventually forms the Government and I am ready to be the prime minister of Papua New Guinea,” he said.
Gure said he would still provide vibrant leadership even if the party did not form government.
He said before Basil’s tragic passing on May 11 they settled for 61 registered members.
“We would expect 50 per cent of the total ULP candidates to make it home after this election,” he said.
Meanwhile, Gure nominated under the ULP ticket to defend his seat as Rigo MP on Saturday which was followed by his campaign launch in Babaka village.