Lagaip Open MP Aimos Akem (pictured) expressed his concerns as to why the National Government through the Electoral Commission is delaying in organizing a by- election for the gold rich Pogera-Paiela district after their pioneer MP passed away last year.
Akem is concerned that the people of the newly created district
have been without an elected representative that greatly affected the negotiations on the reopening of the Pogera gold mine last year where the landowners interests were not adequately represented and presented in the recently failed Community Development Agreement (CDA) Forum.
“There is no leader to address the escalating law and order issues in the district with the rise in deaths associated with illegal mining.” Akem said.
“Why is the government taking time to fund and conduct by- elections for the Paiela-Pogera Open Seat when approving and funding the Sohe, Maprik and North Bouganville Open seats which were all conducted and concluded successfully,” he asked.
He is concerned about the lack of leadership in the resource rich district and called on the government to facilitate a by-election for the people to mandate their representative who will represent them in important decisions that will determine their future accordingly.
“There is no leader on the ground to address lawlessness, tribal fighting, illegal mining, lack of basic government services in a resource rich district,” he said.
He appealed to Prime Minister James Marape to put politics aside and immediately prioritize the election of a representative for the people of the Paiela-Pogera District.
“The Marape-Rosso government must be grateful to the Pogera gold mine in contributing enormously towards the country’s economy and must give what the people of Porgera-Paiela rightfully deserve and that is for the election of their new leader,” Akem concluded.
The pioneer MP of the Paiela-Pogera Open Electorate late Maso Karipe died on November 07, 2023 in Brisbane, Australia, whilst undergoing medical treatment.
Porgera Gold Mine will not operate if the Government continuously neglect the rights the Porgera-Paiela People deserve through By-Election. The shares that are benefiting Provincial government and National Government won’t work out as agreed during several of the forums if By-Election is conducted at their earliest.
As citizen of Papua New Guinea and voter within the Porgera-Paiela Open Electorate, I believe it is a fundamental right to choose an elected representative who will advocate for our interests and concerns both in Parliament and within our local communities. It is with grave disappointment and a sense of alienation that I observe the exclusion of our electorate from the opportunity to participate in the democratic process through a by-election.
The Porgera-Paiela Open Electorate faces a range of critical issues that require immediate attention. The representation of our electorate in Parliament is crucial, as it would provide us with a dedicated Member of Parliament (MP) who can effectively communicate our grievances, engage in fruitful policy discourse, and drive positive change in relation to the pressing matters of the Porgera Gold Mine SML issues and Tribal Fighting.
As constituents, I deeply acknowledge the significance of the elected representative in forging a path to address the multitude of challenges faced by our community. A committed MP for the Porgera-Paiela Open Electorate would work diligently to foster communication between the relevant stakeholders, provide us with a platform to voice our concerns, and advocate for necessary resources and interventions to address the ongoing issues.
We implore you both the Government and ElectoralCommission, as the authorities responsible for upholding the principles of democracy and ensuring equal representation for all electorates, to take the following actions urgently:
1. Allocate the necessary funding for the Porgera-Paiela Open By-Election, allowing constituents the opportunity to elect a representative who will work tirelessly for our interests.
2. Collaborate with the Electoral Commission to establish an accelerated timeline for the by-election, ensuring a prompt resolution to the decisive phase of the electoral process.
3. Provide appropriate support and assistance to mitigate the challenges faced by our electorate, particularly in relation to the Porgera Gold Mine SML issues and Tribal Fighting.
I firmly believe that facilitating the Porgera-Paiela Open By-Election and subsequently electing a dedicated MP will contribute to the overall welfare, growth, and development of our electorate. Moreover, this action would serve as a testament to the government’s commitment to democracy and equal representation for all citizens.
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