PRIME Minister and Pangu Pati Leader James Marape has thanked party members nationwide after being unanimously re-endorsed as leader of Pangu Pati at the conclusion of the party’s 28th National Convention in Port Moresby.
Speaking after the convention, Prime Minister Marape said he had placed his leadership before delegates and allowed the convention to determine the party’s future direction.
“I vacated the convention on Friday for the convention to decide on my leadership,” he said.
“The convention unanimously gave the endorsement for me to serve my second term as leader and to lead the party into the elections.
“As the 10th leader of this great party, it is the honour of my life to lead the party into the political battles once again in 2027.”
Prime Minister Marape said the convention provided an opportunity for party leaders to report on their achievements and challenges during Pangu Pati’s seven consecutive years in government since 2019.
“This is Pangu’s seventh consecutive year since 2019 to be in office,” he said.
“We have told our party convention, our party faithfuls and our supporters about our work over the last seven years we have been back in government.
“We will go to the election and tell our people where we have delivered, where we have fallen short and what we intend to do next.”
Prime Minister Marape reflected on Pangu Pati’s historic role in nation-building, noting that the party had led Papua New Guinea through much of the country’s formative years following Independence.
“In the early formative years of our country, Pangu held office for 12 years,” he said.
The Prime Minister paid tribute to the party’s founding leaders and those who helped establish Pangu Pati as the political movement that led Papua New Guinea to Independence.He acknowledged founding figures including the late Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, Sir Paul Lapun, Sir Pita Lus, Sir Albert Māori Kiki, Sir Joseph Nombri, Sir Cecil Abel, Sir Ebia Olewale, Tony Voutas and many other pioneering members whose vision, courage and leadership helped shape Papua New Guinea’s journey to nationhood.
Prime Minister Marape also acknowledged later party leaders who helped strengthen and sustain Pangu Pati over the decades, including Sir Rabbie Namaliu and Sir Chris Haiveta.
He further acknowledged Lady Veronica Somare, Mrs Hilan Sikot Pora Schmidt of Manus Province and the late Lady Elizabeth Kiki, recognising the important role women played in the early development of the party and the historic Bully Beef Club movement that contributed to Pangu Pati’s formation.
Prime Minister Marape also acknowledged contemporary party leaders who have contributed to the party’s growth and continuity, including Hon. Andrew Kumbakor and Hon. Ginson Saonu.
He also paid tribute to departed party stalwarts, the late Hon. Ludwig Schulze and the late Hon. Sam Basil, whose contributions helped strengthen and sustain the party during important periods of the party’s modern history.
“Special acknowledgement to Ginson Saonu who paved the way for me to be leader in 2019,” he said.
Prime Minister Marape said his decision, together with colleagues who left government in 2019, to join Pangu Pati was driven by a belief that the party provided the strongest platform to advance a new policy direction for Papua New Guinea.
“We had absolutely no doubt that fighting for our country’s resources, resetting our country and putting it on the right
road required the most significant party,” he said.
“Pangu was the most significant party.
“Going to Pangu allowed us to use the institution called Pangu to stamp our new policy shift, especially the focus to get back more from our natural resources, reconstruct the public service and transfer powers back to the provinces.”
Prime Minister Marape said important reforms had been achieved since 2019 but acknowledged that significant work remained.
“Seven years on, we have put the country back on the right road,” he said.
“But much more work remains.”
He said Pangu Pati would enter the 2027 National General Election with a commitment to honestly present its record to the people and seek a renewed mandate based on its policies and future plans.
“We are committed to be honest to the country about what we have achieved, what we have failed to achieve and what we pledge to do going forward,” he said.
Prime Minister Marape also marked Pangu Pati’s 59th anniversary, paying tribute to the party’s founders and the members of the historic Bully Beef Club whose discussions
eventually evolved into the formationof Pangu Pati.
“Fifty-nine years after its formation, and after helping lead our country to Independence in 1975, the work of national renewal continues,” Prime Minister Marape said.
“Happy 59th birthday, Pangu Pati.
“As we prepare for the 2027 National General Election, we also look ahead to our 60th anniversary next year.”