By Mortimer Yangharry
Lagaip Open MP Aimos Akem expressed his concerns as to why the National Government through the Electoral Commission is delaying in organizing a by- election for the gold rich Porgera-Paiela District after their pioneer MP passed away last year.
Akem is concerned that the people of the newly created district have been without an elected representative that greatly affected the negotiations on the reopening of the Porgera gold mine last year where the landowner’s interests were not adequately represented and presented in the recently failed Community Development Agreement (CDA) Forum.
“There is no leader to address the escalating law and order issues in the district with the rise in deaths associated with illegal mining.” Akem said.
“Why is the government taking time to fund and conduct by- elections for the Paiela-Pogera Open Seat when approving and funding the Sohe, Maprik and North Bougainville Open seats which were all conducted and concluded successfully,” he asked.
He is concerned about the lack of leadership in the resource rich district and called on the government to facilitate a by-election for the people to mandate their representative who will represent them in important decisions that will determine their future accordingly.
“There is no leader on the ground to address lawlessness, tribal fighting, illegal mining, lack of basic government services in a resource rich district,” he said.
He appealed to Prime Minister James Marape to put politics aside and immediately prioritize the election of a representative for the people of the Paiela-Pogera District.
“The Marape-Rosso government must be grateful to the Porgera gold mine in contributing enormously towards the country’s economy and must give what the people of Porgera-Paiela rightfully deserve and that is for the election of their new leader,” Akem concluded.
The pioneer MP of the Paiela-Porgera Open Electorate late Maso Karipe died on November 07, 2023 in Brisbane, Australia, whilst seeking medical treatment.
