Source: Post Courier Online By HAIVETA KIVIA
FORMER PRIME Minister Sir Mekere Morauta will not contest the
2012 General Election.
Sir Mekere, member for Moresby North West electorate in the National Capital District and Minister for State Enterprises, made the announcement at the PNG Party convention in Lae yesterday.
He contested the 1997 General Election in the Moresby North West Open and was elected into the National Parliament. He retained his seat in the 2002 election before splitting with the Paias Wingti led People’s Democratic Party to form the new PNG Party.
Sir Mekere, who led the country as Prime Minister from 1999 to 2002, said he is making way for young leaders to take over and run the country.
He assured the country he will be around to provide advice and guidance.
When announcing his retirement from politics, Sir Mekere said; “We did not inherit Papua New Guinea from our parents but borrowed it from our children, and we must look after it.”
PNG Party leader and Deputy Prime Minster Belden Namah, when paying tribute to the man who elevated him to the party leadership and subsequently the Deputy Prime Minister, used the occasion to fire a broadside at aging veterans Sir Julius Chan - the leader of People’s Progress Party and Sir Michael Somare - the leader of National Alliance.
Mr Namah said both knights have held onto power and will become obsolete dinosaurs and skeletons when they decide to relinquish their leadership.
He said Sir Mekere is a living testimony of good and honest leadership in PNG.
“I won’t be contesting after 10 years, I must move on and make way for young and vibrant leaders to take over,” Sir Mekere told a crowd of more than 5000 at the Sir Ignatius Kilage Indoor Stadium.
He said as the founder of the party, there was concern shown by the party leadership when he first made known his intention not seek re-election.
“The party leadership was concerned and discouraged me but offered that we find a good replacement for me and we have done that and that person is here with us in the convention,” he said.
However, the person was not publicly acknowledged at the gathering.
An announcement is expected soon of the person that Sir Mekere will endorse to replace him and this candidate has received overwhelming support from the PNG parliamentary caucus and executive.
Sir Mekere was pivotal in many of the reforms introduced in the county when he was the Prime Minister. These are the Organic Law on the Integrity of Political Parties, State Enterprises, Free Education and Free Health Services, besides others.
He told the convention that he had set the foundation for the success that Sir Michael Somare and the National Alliance boasted of having achieved but in doing so, corrupted the system and norms within the government.
“I laid the foundation and they got to enjoy the unprecedented huge revenue generated by the oil, gas and mining industries and public enterprises reform I introduced,” he said.
He told the convention that he and his wife Lady Roslyn’s house at Touaguba Hill in Port Moresby is ready to receive the PNG Party when it wins the election and is ready to form the new Government.
He added that even if they don’t win the election, he is sure PNG Party will be one of key parties that will form the next government after the election.
Sir Mekere, member for Moresby North West electorate in the National Capital District and Minister for State Enterprises, made the announcement at the PNG Party convention in Lae yesterday.
He contested the 1997 General Election in the Moresby North West Open and was elected into the National Parliament. He retained his seat in the 2002 election before splitting with the Paias Wingti led People’s Democratic Party to form the new PNG Party.
Sir Mekere, who led the country as Prime Minister from 1999 to 2002, said he is making way for young leaders to take over and run the country.
He assured the country he will be around to provide advice and guidance.
When announcing his retirement from politics, Sir Mekere said; “We did not inherit Papua New Guinea from our parents but borrowed it from our children, and we must look after it.”
PNG Party leader and Deputy Prime Minster Belden Namah, when paying tribute to the man who elevated him to the party leadership and subsequently the Deputy Prime Minister, used the occasion to fire a broadside at aging veterans Sir Julius Chan - the leader of People’s Progress Party and Sir Michael Somare - the leader of National Alliance.
Mr Namah said both knights have held onto power and will become obsolete dinosaurs and skeletons when they decide to relinquish their leadership.
He said Sir Mekere is a living testimony of good and honest leadership in PNG.
“I won’t be contesting after 10 years, I must move on and make way for young and vibrant leaders to take over,” Sir Mekere told a crowd of more than 5000 at the Sir Ignatius Kilage Indoor Stadium.
He said as the founder of the party, there was concern shown by the party leadership when he first made known his intention not seek re-election.
“The party leadership was concerned and discouraged me but offered that we find a good replacement for me and we have done that and that person is here with us in the convention,” he said.
However, the person was not publicly acknowledged at the gathering.
An announcement is expected soon of the person that Sir Mekere will endorse to replace him and this candidate has received overwhelming support from the PNG parliamentary caucus and executive.
Sir Mekere was pivotal in many of the reforms introduced in the county when he was the Prime Minister. These are the Organic Law on the Integrity of Political Parties, State Enterprises, Free Education and Free Health Services, besides others.
He told the convention that he had set the foundation for the success that Sir Michael Somare and the National Alliance boasted of having achieved but in doing so, corrupted the system and norms within the government.
“I laid the foundation and they got to enjoy the unprecedented huge revenue generated by the oil, gas and mining industries and public enterprises reform I introduced,” he said.
He told the convention that he and his wife Lady Roslyn’s house at Touaguba Hill in Port Moresby is ready to receive the PNG Party when it wins the election and is ready to form the new Government.
He added that even if they don’t win the election, he is sure PNG Party will be one of key parties that will form the next government after the election.
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