Nominations in the new Hiri-Koiari Open Seat have progressed well in the Central Province.
Out of the 27 nominated candidates the lone female endorsed by Pangu Party is Samoa Hoi Rage who hails from Tubusereia village.
Rage was flanked by her supporters during her nomination earlier today(Tuesday 24th of May 2022).
According to Electoral Staff, 23 independent candidates are contesting for the newly created electorate while four are endorsed by political parties.
They include Steven John (United Resource Party), Keith Iduhu (New Generation Party), Gabriel Nicholas (PNG National Party) and Samoa Hoi Rage (Pangu).
Thirty-year-old Willie Kaeaka said Koiari-Hiri people have been neglected for too long.
‘’In the last 46 years, we only had politicians but not leaders. Leaders are supposed to represent us and address our issues,’’ said Kaeaka.
“We have the Kokoda Track, Sirinumu dam, the Rouna power installation plant, the Mt Eriama water treatment plant all located in Koiari land and the Papa Lealea gas refinery plant down at the Hiri-West as well as other major government institutions. Yet we were overlooked and it is about time to redirect government intervention plans for the people,’’ he added.
The young candidate said consecutive governments have failed to recognize the people of Hiri and Koiari with the resources they owned on their land.
‘’The time now is for us all candidates contesting for the seat to have a way forward, plan and not work in isolation for the good cause of the people,’’ he said.
He thanked the Marape led Government in supporting the former Kairuku Hiri MP Peter Isoaimo in his plea for the split of the electorate.
Kaeaka holds a double degree in accounting and business management from Pacific Adventist University (PAU).
He urged all the candidates to work together and bring home a suitable winner to lead the new electorate.
Meanwhile in the Central Regional seat, 18 candidates have nominated so far as of 3pm yesterday afternoon.
Among them is Rufina Peter who is endorsed by People’s National Congress Party (PNC).
Incumbent Central Governor, Robert Agarobe (Pangu), and former Central Province Administrator Gei Raga ( The Peoples Party) have also nominated for the top seat.
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