THE newly elected MP for Moresby North-West Lohia Boe Samuel or LBS as he is widely known vows to rebuild the two historical villages of Hanuabada and Elevala.
This was his message to the people of Elevala and Hanubada when he was welcomed home on Thursday night after he polled a total of 25,185 votes to rival candidate Joe Tonde who came second with 12,201 votes.
Mr Samuel was accompanied by his partner Ore Toua, State Ministers including Minister for Correctional Services Win Daki, Minister for National Planning and Monitoring Renbo Paita, Minister for Culture, Arts and Tourism Henry Isi Leonard and long-time brother and MP for Moresby North-East John Kaupa.
The three Ministers and two MPs who put up a victory walk from Konedobu to Elevala clearly showed their solidarity as members of the ruling Pangu Pati and its coalition.
Mr Samuel on arrival in the big village of Hanuabada was graced with hugs and cries of joy from supporters and fellow villagers. The welcome party was so huge that the new MP would not respire when he was scrummed on however was ushered onto the stage where he took his breather.
The rousing welcome for the Motu-Koita son and newly-elected Moresby North-West’s LBS began with the first Papuan Anthem “Papua oi natumu ahaodia” which indeed portrayed the inner emotions on his face.
His (LBS) emotional fever when declared at the Sir John Guise Stadium to the stage where he was endorsed by Prime Minister James Marape two months ago gathered tears in his eyes as the native anthem was sung.
The expression on his face showed the kind of mixed feelings he was bestowed with. Apparently the truth that lies in the history of the Moresby North-West is that there has never being a replacement after the first Motu-Koita son Late Mahuru Rarua Rarua since 1982 and Thursday 24 June, 2021 was history in the making for a true son of Motu-Koita to be given that fame as the duly elected MP for Moresby North-West.
The Moresby North-West seat was initially held by Late Mahuru Rarua Rarua from 1982 to 1985 as the first MP and was then taken over by naturalized Australian-born Robert Suckling for two terms till 1997 when Sir Mekere Morauta narrowly won and held that seat till 2012. In 2012 Sir Mekere Morauta decided to leave Politics after 15 years and so he stepped down resulting in Public Employees Association then President Michael Malabag taking over. In 2017 after the National General Elections Sir Mekere decided to return to politics until he succumbed to his death vacating the MNW seat which brought about the by-election.
Mr Samuel thanked everyone who stood with him during the 12 weeks of campaigning especially his business partner Roxon Undi, Chairman for Motu-Koita Assembly Dadi Toka Junior, five-time contender Russel Wavik, and longtime brother and fellow Papuan Thomas Opa from Gulf Province.
His win has been dedicated to his late father Samuel Raho Misi who died in April this year.
Mr Samuel is expected to be sworn into office after a week.
He has promised his people to fix all foot bridges, old house posts and other issues concerning the big village when given the financial powers.
He will also execute the Women SME and Youth Policy which are the two major policies earmarked for the Motu-Koita people and Moresby North-West as a whole.