As the counting nationwide is gaining momentum, the Wewak camp led by the incumbent Prime Minister, James Marape is rolling out red carpet for independent MPs and political parties to join them for a possible formation of the next Government. 

The Pangu Pati leader made this call in a media release upon having arrived at the East Sepik capital on Friday, July 22, 2022, with six other Pangu MPs, one from United Resources Party (URP) and one from National Alliance (NA) to start camp.

Pangu MPs are PM Marape (Tari-Pori), Deputy PM Hon. John Rosso (Lae), Treasurer Hon. Ian Ling-Stuckey (Kavieng), Graham Piniau Rumet (Rabaul), Hela Governor Hon. Philip Undialu, Hon. Manasseh Makiba (Margarima) and Daniel Tindipu (Komo-Hulia).

With them are Koroba-Kopiago MP William Bando (URP) and East Sepik Governor Hon. Allan Bird (NA).

“At the moment, Pangu is going very well, and we look to win several more seats over the next couple of days to add on to our current seven declared MPs,” PM Marape said.

“Pangu has already set up camp in Wewak and we extend an open invitation, to all Independent MPs as well as other political parties, to join us in our efforts to ‘Take Back PNG’ and reconstruct a better future for our country.”

PM Marape has already met with URP Leader Hon. William Duma and NA Leader Hon. Patrick Pruaitch who are both awaiting their respective counts.

Both URP and NA, as well as other coalition parties, have agreed to join Pangu in the Wewak Camp in the lead-up to the first session of the new Parliament on August 4, 2022.

“We invite winning Independent MPs, as well as other political parties, to join us so that we can continue the good work we have done over three hard years,” PM Marape said.

“We have reconstructed the economy, we have a fiscal consolidation pathway that should lead us to a surplus Budget in 2027, we have a 13-year Money Plan that should see national debt eliminated by 2034.

“The work of reconstructing our country – whether through stabilizing the economy or transferring national wealth to all parts of our country and leaving no place behind, educating our children and leaving no child behind, or empowering our people and leaving no one behind – are just some of what we have done over the last three hard years.

“Hence, this is an open invitation to those elected MPs who share similar ideals to join us in our endeavors to form a Government that puts country and people’s interests first, instead of serving personal and foreign interests as was the case when PNC was in office.”

PM Marape said Wewak would not just be a political camp, but one of reflection, to take stock of the last 47 years and plan for the future.

“ We are a nation on the crossroads to prosperity or doom, and with foundational leaders like Grand Chief Somare and his generation fading , the onus is on my generation of leaders to rise up and do well for the country, hence, the Wewak camp will be a retreat to cast the future of our PNG, ” he said.

PM Marape also offered his commiserations to two-time Pangu Maprik MP, John Simon, who lost his seat and thanked him for his services to the country.

“I thank Mr Simon for his services to the country, and more importantly Maprik, over the last 10 years,” PM Marape said.

“As far as Maprik is concerned, John Simon has been the greatest gift to make it a well-developed district, including Hayfield Airport, roads into Maprik, school intervention programme, agriculture programmes, National Development Bank, and many more.

“Mr Simon has made substantial interventions to develop Maprik over the last 10 years and I wish him all the very best.

“There will always be a place for him in Pangu to support us, especially in our focus on agriculture, and the rural sector. “

---