By Clifford Faiparik
An election petitioner in the Ijivitari Open seat in Northern Province has finally settles his legal bills of about K144, 4000 with Richard Masere.
The petitioner Sheldon Deilala, who came third in the 2017 national election incurred then legal bills after unsuccessfully challenging Masere’s win at both the National and Supreme Courts
“I’m now ready to contest the same seat in this year’s national election”, Deilala declared.
‘In 2017, I took an election petition against the member for Ijivitari. During the trial in Popondetta my petition was dismissed on technical grounds.
“I applied for a review at the Supreme Court in 2018. Following the dismissal of my election petition review at the Supreme Court, SC Rev (EP) No. 08 of 2018, costs were awarded against me. I have now fully paid Hon Richard Masere the sum of K144, 365.10 as per the court orders on taxed costs.
‘So, I want to assure the people of Ijivitari that I will continue to provide an alternate option to the current leadership. Over the last 5 years the current member has neglected the key sectors of education, health, road infrastructure and encouraging private sector investments to grow the local economy.
“instead the member has preoccupied with the delivery of iron sheets, solar lamps and PMV’s to his political supporters at the expense of tangible investments for the long-term livelihood of the majority of the people of Ijivitari
“Compensation for the Popondetta town Landowners and the Girua Airport landowners remain outstanding.
“political commitments for a new high school in Tufi together with water supply to Tufi station including many other commitments have not been fulfilled.
“the political opportunism of the last 5 years has resulted in the majority of our people suffering from lack of basic services.
“I again assure the people of Ijivitari that all these issues will be raised in the coming elections and I will hold the member to account for his performance in the last 5 years”, Deilala said.
