Zurenuoc quits PPP post

By STARZA PAUL
SPEAKER of Parliament Theo Zurenuoc yesterday resigned as the People’s Progress Party deputy leader.
Zurenuoc made the announcement at a special lunch organised by the party at the Dynasty Restaurant, Vision City, Port Moresby.
He told party executives and fellow party parliamentarians Ezekiel Anisi (Ambunti-Dreikikir open), Johnson Tuke (Kainantu open), Byron Chan (Namatanai open), Milne Bay Governor Titus Philemon and party leader Sir Julius Chan that he could continue to hold the deputy leader’s position since becoming speaker.
“I have been privileged to have acted on the role as the deputy leader of the party but according to the law when I became the speaker of parliament, it is sad that I cannot continue in that role,” he said.
Zurenuoc said he had been honoured and privileged to have worked alongside one of the great leaders of the country in Sir Julius Chan.
“I thank Sir J that he has been a great mentor to me at the professional level as a politician and a great man with wisdom and knowledge to guide me in the difficult times in life,” he said.
He said his new role as speaker would be very demanding but he was ready to take on the challenge.
“To be frank, I never thought that I would one day become the speaker of the national parliament but I feel honoured that the other leaders have had trust in me by electing me,” he said.
Zurenuoc said after the formation of government he had thought of going back to being education minister because he was familiar with that.