WELL-KNOWN former radio and tourism personality Erigere Singin has made history by being elected as the first-ever woman National President of the ruling Pangu Pati at its 26th National Convention in Port Moresby.
Prime Minister and Pangu leader, James Marape, yesterday (August 27) announced the election of Singin and other party executives after the convention.
PM Marape also announced the election of Louisah Hosea as Female Vice-President, Sama Auro as Male Vice-President, and Joe Tep as Church Representative.
Singin, from Boana in Morobe, replaces Patrick Pundao.
PM Marape thanked Pundao for his service to Pangu over the last seven years
“One of the key outcomes of today was the historical election of Ms Erigere Singin as our National President of Pangu Pati,” PM Marape said.
“It is my distinguished pleasure to make this official announcement to the country.
“It is a historical milestone for Pangu Pati.
“In 1977, the first lady into Parliament was Pangu’s Mrs Nahau Rooney, and Pangu is breaking the frontier barrier again.
“It is not only men who can do the job, women can also do the job.”
Singin thanked PM Marape and said what happened today was a breakthrough for women in the country.
“What happened today was very historic,” she said.
“There’s a huge paradigm shift here, from having men around the party, to giving some responsibility to women.
“It is important that both men and women leaders work together to carry this party through, this country through, to stand together.
“I am very happy to be given this responsibility to work with the people of Papua New Guinea.”
Pangu General-Secretary Morris Tovebae said Pangu was shining a light for the rest of the country to see.
“Congratulations to the first female National President of Pangu Pati,” he said.
“This is history in the making and we are showing the nation that Pangu is an inclusive party.
“This is what we want to tell the Nation: Pangu Pati is not a male-dominated political party, we are very inclusive and gender-conscious.”
Tovebae also welcomed Louisah Hosea as Female Vice-President, Sama Auro as Male Vice-President, and Joe Tep as Church Representative.
-Press Release-