Potape eager to serve people

National, Normal
Source:

The National, Friday 10th May 2013

 KOMO-Margarima MP Francis Potape says he is now free to serve his people after the Supreme Court dismissed an appeal application by petitioner Edward Alina yesterday.

Alina, a candidate in the 2012 national election, sought relief to appeal against the National Court decision earlier that squashed his first petition on grounds of competency late last year, but the three-man bench Supreme Court yesterday dismissed his application. 

A relived Potape said he was free to deliver goods and services and improve the lives of his people over the next four years.

He said the petition case had delayed developments in his electorate over the past year.

“I’m now relieved and free to serve my people and the government of Peter O’Neill that I joined recently from the opposition,” he said.

Potape thanked the people of Komo-Margarima for their patience during the lengthy court proceedings.

He also urged them to work together for the common good and embrace changes he was prepared to deliver and those that he had already delivered.

The MP also commended his legal team, headed by Christine Copeland, and his staff for their efforts in defending his case.

Potape said he respected the rights of losing candidates to seek redress but now that the court had ruled in his favour, it was imperative for these candidates and their supporters to put aside their political differences and work with him for the good of their people.

He also announced his “undivided support” for the O’Neill government, developer ExxonMobil and landowners in the PNG LNG project in ensuring the multi-billion kina project was successfully completed and ready to deliver first gas by 2014.