Page 15 - IB APR 2017

Don Poyle Ben MIcah Patrick Pruaitch Sam Basil

Mr Polye said it was about time he Government can the current economic ment,” Mr Basil said.
should lead this nation, describing PNG decline be reversed. Sir Mekere said many people, from all
as a rundown vehicle or as someone “The National Alliance Party engi- walks of life, are urging me to contest the
under intensive care unit. neered that feat in 2002, when nearly all forthcoming national election.
“If our THE party does not form the commentators were saying things could “Why? Because they are worried about
next government, this country will be only get worse. Yes we can – and yes we the current state of affairs and they fear
thrown to the ‘morgue for burial,” he will – engineer a turnaround again in for the future.
warned. 2017. I make that promise as your leader. “They see that the character of Papua
Ben Micah, a close ally and ardent “Many years of work in the private New Guinea has changed for the worse
supporter of Peter O’Neill, did not hide sector, and my role as the country’s lon- in the last five years.
his intentions when he broke ranks with gest serving Treasurer, gives me a clear “People see no sign of the root prob-
government to join the Opposition in a insight into the dynamics of our economy lems being addressed. People are afraid
failed vote of no confidence against Mr and the best way to propel growth that that the situation will get worse if the
O’Neill last year. benefits the majority of our people and roots are allowed to rot further.
Mr Micah’s interest in the top job is part not a select few. “People keep reminding me that the
of his strategy going into the elections. “Sound policies were the key ingredi- problems are similar to what we faced in
His PPP party is endorsing 85 candidates ent of the Somare-led years from 2002 1999 and that, by and large, I fixed them
contesting seats throughout the country. to 2011. The jobs growth we generated and rescued the nation.
But the significant indication came – the largest ever employment increase in “They look back to the reforms I intro-
from NA leader Patrick Pruaitch, the our entire history – spread the growing duced which re-laid the foundation for
Treasurer in the government. He not wealth among the wider population of economic growth and political stability
only indicated interest in the top but also our country. that we enjoyed for over a decade, and
criticized the government in its mishan- “I also make the promise today that a the reforms that rebuilt important institu-
dling of the economy, saying the current future NA Government will overturn the tions, increased their independence and
economic strategy employed by the dismal jobs record of the past three years. insulated them from political interfer-
coalition government led by the Peoples “I wish to assure all of you that if the ence. People see that these gains have
National Congress has resulted in mas- people of this country through your ef- been lost.
sive debt, a plunging GDP and growth forts and success in this election give us “People are telling me that they want a
rate, and a debt-to-GDP ratio myth. As the mandate, and as your leader, to be new Government after the election, with
the leader of the second biggest coalition the next Prime Minister I will be guided a new leader.
partner in government, this was a blow by one over-riding principle. So, I have decided that I am prepared
to Mr O’Neill’s intentions in retaining “As a Government we will adopt a to contest one of the NCD seats provided
government. people first policy. that by the time for nomination I believe
He announced at the induction of the “Every policy we implement will need there is sufficient support from all quar-
party’s candidates in Port Moresby that to show some measurable positive im- ters, especially current MPs and intending
NA deserves to form the next Govern- pacts on the wider population in our cit- candidates, for a new Government.
ment. “NA and its candidates need to ies, towns and small villages right across “I would stand to help lead a movement
campaign in a confident and purposeful the nation,” Mr Pruatich said. for change and reform.
manner to ensure the return of an NA-led Pangu Pati leader Sam Basil made his “I urge voters throughout the country,
Government. I am confident that as head intentions known when taking over the political parties, dissatisfied members of
of the next government, and with the leadership of the party in 2016 saying PNC and independent candidates to work
right team behind me, National Alliance that he is hopeful of the Prime Minister’s with me to bring about this change. The
will once again be able to restore sound post in 2017. nation’s future is at stake.
economic policies and rising levels of Mr Basil said he wants to lead PANGU “I will gauge whether I think I have
prosperity that the people of this country to the national elections in 2017. the support base to stand for a seat in
truly deserve. “ I want to take PANGU Pati to the elec- the NCD which would lead me to help
“Each and every NA candidate has a tion as the party leader. We will sell the form a new Government in July-August,”
duty to convince the electorate that only party to Papua New Guineans to ensure he said.
through reinstatement of an NA-led that we provide an alternative govern- r vulumsam@hotmail.com

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