Sir Mekere promises to respect legal contracts

OPPOSITION leader Sir Mekere Morauta has assured foreign investors that, if his team forms the next government, it will respect all legal contracts in place.
He told a press conference in Port Moresby yesterday that (union leader) Michael Malabang and others had claimed that the LNG project would be affected “but I want to give our assurance that legal contracts will continue”.
He claimed the opposition was talking to a number of people in government and a change in government was certain to take place.
Sir Mekere also welcomed a challenge from Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare to contest against the National Alliance (NA) coalition in an election.
“Fair game, Bart and I will beat him,” he said.
He also welcomed unconfirmed reports that NA deputy leaders Don Polye and Sir Puka Temu were planning to leave the government.
“The house of Somare must be tumbled. We are very confident that we will have the numbers to oust Somare,” he said.
Sir Mekere said Sir Michael had been involved in scandals and was breaking laws.
“Those who have broken the laws will be jailed.
“Papua New Guinea needs a new house, not a family dynasty.”
Also present at the press conference were deputy opposition leader Bart Philemon, Bulolo MP Sam Basil, former attorney-general Dr Allan Marat, Anglimp-South Waghi MP Jamie Maxtone-Graham and MPs Francis Awesa, Isaac Joseph, Koni Iguan and Theo Zurenuoc.
Speaking as if some NA members were indeed leaving the government coalition, Philemon said their action was “bold and decisive”.
“It takes courageous and selfless leaders with guts to make difficult decisions in difficult times,’’ Philemon said.
“Such is welcoming, particularly to help depose a prime minister whose government is infested with scandals and an incubator of corruption.”
He claimed that as long as Sir Michael remained, “no one, including Sir Puka and Polye, will be considered for the top job because NA is basically a Momase party”.
Philemon said the new government would move swiftly to rid corruption, restore confidence and good governance, prudent management of financial and other resources and find ways to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of civil service as well as the public service delivery system.