By MARIE KITAWA
UPNG Journalism Student
GOVERNOR General Sir Bob Dadae has expressed his greatest appreciations to the members of parliament for their undivided support in re-electing him to continue to serve the office.
“Firstly, I thank God Almighty and our members of parliament for their vote in returning me to the Office of the Governor General of Papua New Guinea for a second term, which is also a record in history for our country and the Office of the Governor General” Sir Bob said.
He said men of great character and integrity have occupied the post, starting with Sir John Guise right down to Sir Michael Ogio and they have all excelled in their job and it is a job that he has tried to excel in his last term and will continue to do in the next six years of this second term.
Sir Bob said the 11th parliament has decided to give him the mandate to occupy the most esteemed post for another six years and he is humbled by the show of confidence in him by the members.
“I would also like to thank the Marape-Rosso Government for their continued support to me as a leader of the people and also as the Head of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea.
Continuity in the leadership of this country is vital and it is the same with the Office of the Governor General. I acknowledge that the Government’s support for me was to ensure continuity in this position, which has a very important function in the constitutional or representative democracy and as a member of the Commonwealth Nations,” Sir Bob expressed.
He also acknowledged fellow madam contestant, Ms Winnie Kiap for putting her hands up to run for the Office of the Governor General.
“Ms Kiap is a highly successful public servant; she has the right credentials to hold this job and I commend her for offering her time and herself to once again serve her country. It will be amiss of me not to seek her advice on matters relating to our relationship with Buckingham Palace, the Commonwealth of Nations and on any other international diplomatic matters. I will most certainly welcome her help in the months ahead.”
The GG also acknowledged Mr Stephen Pokawin and saying “he is a man of great character and also has an outstanding career as a lawyer, a public servant and a politician”.
He added that Mr Pokawin’s has a legacy that is to be admired and cherished.
Sir Bob said the election in parliament has fulfilled the first part of the process in finding a new Head of State for Papua New Guinea and for now he will have to wait for His Majesty King Charles III to accept his nomination to close the process.
