SENIOR member of the Pangu Pati and Gulf Governor, Sir Chris Haiveta, has officially announced his withdrawal from the Pangu Pati in a press conference today.
In a press conference today, Haiveta said he was part of the Pangu Pati for a long time, however, he decided to withdraw from the party in light of current issue involving K20 million Improvement Development Grants (IDG) for Gulf province.
The Governor also clarified that he is staying out of the party to pursue his case against the government involving the purported transfer of K20 million IDG fund for Gulf province to the Enga Provincial Government.
Haiveta said his loyalty to the current ruling party remains, however, he won’t be able to participate in any Pangu parliamentary caucus going forward.
“I announce my withdrawal from the Pangu Pati, and will allow the court to proceed in its process until the case is complete with satisfying results,” Sir Haiveta said.
He said that he is withdrawing because of no official explanations made by the Prime Minister James Marape and Treasurer Ian Ling-Stuckey to the people of Gulf province about the K20 million IDG fund diversion to Enga Provincial Government.
Governor Haiveta stressed that no funds have been sent back to the Gulf Provincial Government’s account even after an assurance from the Prime Minister was made, following the outburst of this issue earlier.
“I was very angry when I first heard this leaked information and I personally messaged Prime Minister and Treasurer about my disappointment, where both replied as it was typo errors,” the Gulf Governor said.
“Before making this announcement official to the nation, I conversed with the Prime Minister and he respected my decision as a mandated leader of the people I represent on the national level.”
The Governor further clarified that he is not resigning from the party, because Pangu Pati was the political podium where he started his political career, years ago.
He also annotated that his call to withdraw is not political, but is of the best interest of his people.
“My announcement today is not out of political curiosity, but I am serving the best interest of the people of Gulf Province, as we have multiple billion-kina projects in our province, which can be affected by misappropriation and lame moves by political leaders in this country.
“I am fighting on principles, and not on political grounds,” Haiveta stated.
He further explained that there was no formal consultation with his administration and that the gazette issued was unlawful and not accorded with the Public Finance Management Act, in which he developed to be used by the Government when he was Finance Minister.
The Governor urged all State Ministers not to interfere with designated tasks that should be done by departmental heads in the country.
He said such interference has caused confusions, leading to the abuse of public offices through fraudulent activities in recent years.
