By JAMES APA GUMUNO
THE Alternative Prime Minister and Member for Finschafen Open, Rainbo Paita, has embraced criticism that his group are being called “rats”.
The Former Finance Minister acknowledged the label during a speech in Kundiawa town last Wednesday, stating that critics from the government side were correct in describing the opposition as “rats”.
“It’s true that the opposition are rats because our group mostly comprises first and second-term members,” Paita said.
“Even though we are small like rats, no animals or human beings would touch a live wire, only rats cut live wires and cause a power blackout, and that’s us,” he said.
Paita made these remarks while addressing a large crowd in Simbu during their highlands tour last week.
He was accompanied by Member for Bulolo, Hon. Junior Sam Basil, Chuave MP and Deputy Opposition Leader, Hon. James Nomane, and several other like-minded leaders.
The alternate Prime Minister noted that the opposition has 34 members but expressed a desire for the government to change in the upcoming Vote of No Confidence (VoNC).
Mr. Paita, who left his privileged position along with other former ministers and members of the ruling Pangu Party to join the opposition recently, highlighted numerous issues plaguing the country due to poor leadership.
“This country is richly blessed by God with many natural resources like gold, oil, gas, copper, timber, fisheries, and many others, but why are we so poor?” he questioned.
“Where did the money from these resources go?”
The former Finance Minister asserted that the money has gone into hiding, and while God has blessed the country with resources, it is the mismanagement that has led to poverty.
“There is no need to ask the good Lord to bless the country again,” Paita said.
“Because of bad leadership, the money generated from these resources is mismanaged, and we become poor.
“The opposition wants to take back the country from its current problems.”
Paita pointed out the unequal distribution of the country’s wealth, noting that provinces like Simbu, which lack natural resources to support internal revenue, receive little from the national government.
He criticized this mentality and stated that when the government changes, every province would equally benefit from the country’s resources.
Paita thanked Governor Noah Kool and all the open members for their support.
He concluded by emphasizing the need for a change in government to save the country from further decline.
“For the good of the country and its citizens, this government must be changed to save the country from falling,” the alternate PM said.
