Sir Puka’s political party plans to go national

 By JOHN PANGKATANA

OUR Development Party plans to establish four regional branches in a bid to strengthen itself for the 2017 election.

Despite the party bringing home only one candidate in last year’s election, it is raising the stakes to ensure it is better prepared financially on a national scale over the next four years.

Party leader and Minister for Public Service Sir Puka Temu revealed plans while addressing party members during its first annual meeting at the Holiday Inn last Saturday.

The party was established in August 2011 by co-founders Sir Puka and Andy Kenamu. 

The meeting was specifically staged for financial members to elect new office bearers.

Sir Puka said: “Party members unanimously agreed to return the existing office bearers and passed a resolution for them to remain until 2017.”

Members of the Our Development Party national executive who retained their seats are Andrew Terry (president), Janet Telabe (vice-president) and Abe Babe (general secretary).

“As a young vibrant party, I’m happy to say that we are in compliance of the organic law. 

“I hope some of the other parties have fulfilled their obligations as well,” Sir Puka said. 

“Considering all the lessons we have learnt in producing one elected MP and at least five or six in the top three is a good indication of our potential.”

The Abau MP is the only winning candidate out of 35 who contested under their banner last year.

“Our aim is to bring in new members as winners,” Sir Puka said.

“This time we will be better prepared as we plan to set up a network around the country to be a more national party.

“We have enough time now to mobilise our provincial branch membership and more importantly raise funds to ensure that we will be a strong contender – unlike the six months prior to last year’s elections,” Sir Puka said.