Court re-instated member for Central Bougainville, Samuel Akoitai, was sworn into parliament this morning by Speaker of Parliament Job Pomat.
The swearing in ceremony was held at the state function room.
It was witnessed by parliamentary staff, Samuel Akoitai’s officers and the media.
Akoitai told media that he will be sitting within government ranks because he needs to implement the peace agreement.
“Well obviously to implement the peace agreement I have to be in government.
“I was a former MP of United Resource Party, and bear in mind I’m also one of the founding members of PNC, that’s when the late Bill Skate was in office. So I have two parties there, but I stand as an Independent,” said Akoitai.
Akoitai, who won the Central seat back after it was disputed in court, won by 4 votes, ousting sitting MP Fr Simon Dumarinu.
He will be sitting in parliament when it resumes on the 22ndof May.
He is no stranger to parliament as he was first elected to parliament back in 1997, retaining it in 2002 but losing in 2008.
He said one of his main priorities is to restore law and order and implement the Bougainville Peace Agreement.
He wants to put on notice “How will the Bougainville budget be funded by the National Government?”
“Because without the finance, the commitments in the Peace agreement cannot be achieved.”
He pledged to work together with his other Bougainvillean counterparts in the National Government through a bi-partisan approach.
He also mentioned contributing to the national economic recovery of the country.