Sir Mekere laid foundation for nation building: Sir Michael

GRAND Chief Sir Michael Somare has hailed the late Sir Mekere Morauta as one who had laid the foundation for building the nation.
“Sir Mekere’s setting up of structures before and after Independence played a key role in the fiscal, macroeconomic and structural policies and institutional reforms of our country,” Sir Michael said.
“I, therefore, as a former prime minister and former leader of the National Alliance Party, am grateful to Sir Mekere for his contributions to laying foundations for the building of our nation.”
Sir Michael took over the reins of power from Sir Mekere during the 2002 general election.
He admitted that the fiscal reforms of Sir Mekere allowed the National Alliance government to bring PNG back from the brink of economic collapse in 2002.
“I acknowledge the role Sir Mekere played (after Independence) in setting up structures in the Department of Finance and the various roles he played in the fiscal, macroeconomic and structural policies and institutional reforms of our country,” he said.
“He served PNG well from the very beginning.
“In his (three years) as prime minister, he introduced notably the Organic Law on Political Parties and Candidates (OLIPPAC) that enabled the National Alliance Party to form government and provide political stability from 2002 to 2011.
“With the political stability provided by OLIPPAC and good fiscal management, PNG saw almost a decade of constant unprecedented growth.
“It is a lesson for us that we must maintain good policies implemented by previous governments if we are truly serving the interests of our people.
“Furthermore, we should give credit where credit is due.”