Madang Governor and former Bogia MP knighted

THE Government House was brought to Madang when Governor General Sir Bob Dadae knighted two senior statesmen of Madang respectively over the 46th PNG Independence anniversary celebrations.

Former Bogia MP John Hickey was knighted and was recognized by Buckingham Palace as Sir John Hickey as of September 16, 2021.

Queen Elizabeth II also found favour in former policeman, self-made businessman, philanthropist and Madang ‘Kwila’ Governor Peter Yama by announcing his knighthood through Governor General Sir Bob Dadae on Independence Eve.

The People’s Labour Party(PLP) parliamentary leader is a senior political figure in PNG politics and was a firmly established businessman before entering politics.

According to his National PNG Parliament profile, Yama was re-elected to the 10th National Parliament in the 2017 National General Election 2017 for Madang Provincial seat under the People’s Labour Party and appointed as a member of the Appointments, Legislation and Standing Orders Parliamentary Committees for a third term in this Parliament.

Yama was first elected to the 5th National Parliament for the Sumkar Open seat in a by-election in October 1992 following the death of previous member late Galen Lang in August 1992.

Yama served as Minister for Works from September 1994, then Minister for Transport and Works in August 1995.

The former policeman launched his People’s Labour Party on the April 28, 2001 at the Laiwaden Oval, Madang in preparation for the 2002 general elections.

Yama was elected to the 7th National Parliament in the 2002 General Elections for the Usino-Bundi Open seat and commissioned as Minister for Labour and Industrial Relations in the Somare/Marat cabinet on August 02,2001 till decommissioning as minister of state on the November 12, 2003.

The self-made businessman cum politician was recommended for dismissal from parliament by Leadership Tribunal on charges of misconduct in office on December 01,2004 but vigorously defended his leadership tribunal charges which resulted in his dismissal overturned by National Court on February 04,2005.

Consequently, Yama was appointed a member of the Pensions and Retirement Benefits Committee and later Chairman of Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee in May 2006.

It was fitting and proper to announce the knighthood of the Madang KWILA on his home turf as he lived his life for the people of Madang and is always a responsible leader when it comes to matters relating to the welfare of the people.