Kipu Anonga nominates-Houn Gulf open

By HAIVETA KIVIA

TWENTY-five candidates have nominated for six seats out of the 10 in Morobe Province. Out of the 25, sitting MPs Bart Philemon (Lae) and Sasa Zibe (Huon) nominated to defend the seats that they have held in the seventh Parliament of Papua New Guinea. Mr Zibe was the first to nominate at one minute past eight yesterday morning at the Huon District office in Lae city. According to Returning Officer for Huon, Francis Javati, Mr. Zibe had been the first to nominate in the last two elections and did not fail to be the first again this election. Mr. Javati stated that seven candidates had nominated so far, including Mr. Zibe and they are Geeman Gaotio Pangarie, Jack Jacob Gurey, Michael Emoto Parker, Kipu Anonga, Peter Yasaro and David Kosi Kumayong. Lae Open returning officer Daniel Wasinak said Mr. Philemon was second to nominate with five others - Paul Pora Ralpha, Joseph Taso, Dopen Peukason, Passingan Taru and Benson Nablu.

Mr. Wasinak said 25 intending candidates had sent forms 29 and 30 to the PNG Electoral Commission and they were expecting that number to nominate for Lae Open by the close of nominations at 4.00pm on Thursday. Returning Officer for Finschhafen Open, Sam Engam, said three candidates had nominated and they were Arigena Mengenang, Jackson Biaro and Tobias Romeang. Markham returning officer Simon Soheke said so far only one candidate Peter Kil had nominated and he was expecting more nominations today and tomorrow. “We are expecting more nominations today, tomorrow and Thursday,” Mr. Soheke said. He added that sitting MP Koni Iguan, a candidate for PNG party, would nominate today. Former Bumayong Secondary School Principal Gisuwat Siniwin was the first candidate to nominate for the Nawaeb Open, a seat held by National Alliance strongman Timothy Bonga who has yet to nominate. Others that nominated so far are Max Waine Noko, Gebob Bayu, Wesley Zurenuc, Philip Gaman and Andrew Meta Mirik. Former MP Andrew Baing has nominated to contest the Morobe Regional seat. The other nominees for this seat so far are Tutumang Speaker Isaac Narol. Luther Wenge will nominate today.

Dopen Peukason nominates-Lae open

PUBLIC Service Minister and Lae MP Bart Philemon has welcomed candidates challenging him for the Lae Open seat. Mr. Philemon was the second candidate to nominate for the Lae Open seat which he holds, after Paul Pora Ralpha. Four other candidates also nominated yesterday, bringing the numbers that have nominated for the Lae seat to six. They are Joseph Taso, Dopen Peukason, Passingan Taru and Benson Nablu. Mr. Philemon said he welcomes anyone who wants to take over the seat he has held for the last four terms of parliament.

He made the comments after the Post-Courier asked him about PNG Party putting up young Ahi man Bob Aaron up against him. Another Ahi man, Benson Nablu, who is contesting under the National Alliance banner also nominated yesterday, bringing to two, the number of Ahi people that will run against Mr. Philemon for the Lae seat “I have no qualms about anyone wanting to challenge me for the seat….in fact I welcome them….the more the better. “At the end of the day it is the voters who decide who gets in,” Mr. Philemon said. But he strongly reiterated to the people of Lae and Morobe Province to vote for incorruptible and God-fearing leaders, who would be strong pillars when they got into parliament and bear the interest of the people. “Lae was an example to the rest of PNG in how to run a good and clean election and we must show the rest of PNG and the World that we can run our own affairs,” he said. Mr. Philemon said the endorsement of Mr. Aaron by PNG Party was against the agreement reached between leaders of the O’Neill-Namah coalition not to put candidates against leaders.

Mr. Philemon is the leader of the New Generation Party. He said the agreement remained but it was up to each party to make their own decisions. Mr. Philemon made a speech after nominating and urged candidates to nominate and contest the seat he held, and exercise their democratic rights. But he warned voters to exercise their democratic rights with caution and vote God-fearing and incorruptible leaders who have their interest and well-being at heart. He said for the last 37 years PNG had gone backwards because of corruption and had not met its international obligations it agreed to, in the Millennium Development Goals it signed in 2000 in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. They included reducing extreme poverty and hunger; adopting universal primary education for its citizens; promoting gender equality and women’s rights; fighting HIV/AIDS, corruption and ensuring that the environment is protected. “But it is sad to say that PNG has failed to deliver these goals because the Government and the Prime Minister that ruled this country for the last nine years failed the people of PNG,” he said.

He said it was time for a change and this election was crucial as people must be careful in making their choice on how to elect to represent them in parliament, questioning whether the leaders they were voting had their interest at heart or were just using them for their own corrupt gains.