Tkatchenko hits back

 By Rebecca Kuku

THE Government led by Sir Michael Somare has been accused of failing to do anything over two-and-a-half years after winning the bid to host the 2015 Pacific Games.

Minister for Sports, Pacific Games and National Events Justin Tkatchenko said that yesterday in response to Sir Michael Somare’s statement in Parliament on Wednesday, casting doubt on the progress of the preparations for the Games.

“With all due respect to the Governor of East Sepik, Sir Michael Somare, he had two-and-a-half years to get the Games moving when PNG won the bid to host the games for 2015,” Tkatchenko said. 

“His government sat on it and did nothing for two-and-a-half years. Our government took over the responsibility of the bid that his government won and moved with it immediately to ensure that we host the Pacific Games on time on July 4 – for a successful Pacific Games,” Tkatchenko said.

He said deferring the Games was not an option because Government had to ensure that the event would be ready.