Sir Charles aims to lead Milne Bay

By HELEN TARAWA
Retired diplomat Sir Charles Lepani is contesting the Milne Bay regional seat under the PNG Party banner.
Sir Charles said he joined the PNG Party which was started by his good friend late Sir Mekere Morauta and was now led by a dynamic young leader, Belden Namah.
“I was enjoying my retirement in Alotau since early last year but increasingly it became very obvious that a sense of malaise had enveloped Milne Bay and there was lack of leadership,” he said.
“The people of Trobriand urged me to stand for the regional seat.”
Sir Charles had previously contested the Kiriwina-Goodenough seat in the 1982 general election well before his diplomatic career.
“I am concerned and want to provide experienced leadership for the province and my focus is to bring about a renewed sense of purpose for the people to work hard in reforming district administration to better deliver health and education services,” he said.
“Other major priority is to put in place policies to create income earning opportunities for the youth.”
Sir Charles said the regional seat covered a large maritime area as well as mountainous hinterland of mainland Milne Bay.
“It is difficult when campaigning but I intend to cover as much of the province as I can so the people of Milne Bay will be given the opportunity to assess my candidacy,” he said.
“I’m up against 18 others and it’s great to see two women candidates.
“Milne Bay has a history of electing women in PNG politics.”

Mobile squad units deployed to Milne Bay

By REBECCA KUKU
Three mobile squad units and a quick response force have been deployed to Alotau to ‘beef up’ security for the general election.
Provincial police commander Peter Barkie said the three mobile squad units arrived in Alotau last week and they would work with the quick response force and the local police during the campaigning, counting and polling period.
“Currently, they are in Alotau but we will deploy them to the islands and the mountains this week to ensure that there is a safe, free and fair election in the province,” he said.
Barkie said that nomination was carried out peacefully and he was optimistic that campaigning, polling and counting would also be carried out without any major security issues.
“I believe in Milne Bay people, despite the security issues we have faced in the last couple of years, we are resilient and we will stand back up,” he said.
“I call on citizens, leaders from all levels, from the community level up to take ownership of this election.”
Barkie also called on young men and women to speak up.
“You have the power to decide who will represent you in Parliament, respect the process, respect others and work with the Electoral Commission and the police to deliver a free and fair election.”