Wingti: I will not challenge Duma for Hagen open seat

FORMER prime minister and Western Highlands governor Paias Wingti has clarified he will not challenge William Duma for the Hagen Open seat.
Welcoming the Petroleum and Energy Minister on Saturday, Wingti said at his Moika village Duma was doing a good job.
Duma was at the village to launch the Mukuka Community Development Association and gave K1.2 million.
Wingti said there had been speculation in the province and Hagen Central that he was intending to contest the open seat.
He said Duma was doing a fine job in the electorate in bringing the liquefied natural gas project which would soon bring in loads of money to the people.
He also thanked Duma for encouraging the people to cultivate their land.
Wingti urged the group executives to use the K1.2 million for its intended purpose and send acquittals to Duma’s office.
Of the amount, K200, 000 is for the Kalga Maip Culture and Tour, K100,000 for Kilgpil Bridge, K300,000 for potato farming,  K400,000 for the Keltiga-Moika road and K200,000 for rural electrification.
Wingti told the people that Hagen was centrally located and people from the mining provinces arrive everyday to spend their money in the city.
He urged the locals to respect these visitors.
Wingti commended the government for the free education policy which has encouraged many children to go to school.
Meanwhile, he said the back road from Bagl to Kuip then to Bukapena, Kelenga and Payar Bridge in the Baiyer district needed major upgrading and sealing.
Duma said Moika was where his Jika tribesmen originated from.
He said promoting culture and tourism was one of the many projects he had undertaken in his electorate to help people earn an income.
Duma urged parents to send their children to school because education would help them prosper in life and make changes.