By JOEL K ANDREW
A RECEPTION hosted by the oldest political party in Papua New Guinea, Pangu Pati, was held on Thursday, (November 2) in Port Moresby, to congratulate the incumbent North Bouganville Member of Parliament (MP) Francesca Semoso.
The function saw the Bouganville community in Port Moresby gather to applaud Semoso’s victory as the first female MP from Bouganville.
Her win follows a by-election after the passing of her predecessor, the late William Nakin.
Pangu Pati’s national political leaders, led by Party leader and Prime Minister James Marape, Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso, Pila Niningi, Solen Loifa, Timothy Masiu, Peter Tsiamalili Jr and few government delegations and dignitaries witnessed the occasion.
Including women in politics to promote gender equality in the country is a policy of the party and Semoso’s victory in North Bouganville signifies that ideal, Magarima MP and Bougainville Affairs Minister Manasseh Makiba said.
He applauded Semoso for the win and commended her team and the people of North Bouganville for bestowing their trust on Pangu’s female candidate to be their voice.
Makiba thanked political supporters of Pangu throughout the region as well as Semoso’s campaign team for a job well done at last through their victory.
“As the state minister for Bouganville Affairs, I am honoured to be working with vibrant political leaders of this special region in the country, and to be their mouthpiece in the referendum exercise in the national parliament,” he said.
Makiba said the first priority is for the development of Bouganville, while the second will be on the referendum.
He acknowledged Bougainville for their trust in Pangu bestowed through their four parliamentarians.
“The Pangu Government will collaborate with the member-elect for North Bouganville, as well as the other Bougainville MPs to ensure we reach a permanent political settlement on the referendum.”
As the quest for Bougainville’s referendum exercise continues between the Autonomous Bouganville Government and the PNG government, Makiba assured the people of the region that he would continue to be their spokesperson in the National Government as it embarks on a political settlement that is equal and fair to all parties.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Marape, in his address, backed Makiba’s statement and said Papua New Guinea will retain authority over defence, foreign affairs and currency if the referendum proceedings succeed.
Magarima MP and Bougainville Affairs Minister Manasseh Makiba.
