Delilah Gore

Gore said the biggest challenge that women in PNG face when contesting for election or as elected members of Parliament is having laws that do not fully support them.

She was speaking during the “Women in leadership retreat PNG” in Port Moresby today.

She said despite the equality bill passed in Parliament in 2011, women still faced equality challenges. 

Sohe Returning Officer, Wesley Korapeba, told Loop PNG that the declaration was made yesterday after 3pm.

He said after the 14^th exclusion, Amuli went past the absolute majority, finishing with 7,724 votes, and Gore on 7,513.

Korapeba arrived today in Port Moresby and will present the writ for the Sohe Open Seat to Electoral Commissioner, Patilias Gamato.

The only three incumbent female MPs include Eastern Highlands Governor Julie Soso, Lae MP Louzaya Kouza and Sohe MP Delilah Gore.

Gore is maintaining her lead in the Sohe electorate.

Sohe Returning Officer Wesley Korapera told Loop PNG that after count 25 which is the final count for the first preferential papers, Gore polled 5,151, followed by an independent candidate Hansley John Amuri with 2,449 votes and People’s Party candidate Paulinias Huhena on third spot with 2,446.

Quality checks are currently underway with eliminations to commence tomorrow.

Gore said this following the opening of five new teachers houses and a double classroom building at Agenahambo Primary School in Sohe district.

The Minister and local Member said this was a positive outcome despite many negative stories that have been reported in the media about Northern Province.

“Thank you parents and thank you to the school management on how you managed these funds.

“They (Government) are sending money down to the schools, if monies are used properly schools will be developed like these,” Gore said.

Leading just over 20 trucks and vehicles overloaded with supporters, Gore and her supporters began their journey from Sasembata village in Higaturu LLG all the way to Popondetta Town.

The main freeway in Popondetta was closed off by supporters who danced and sang their way to the Sohe District Administration Office to nominate.

The funds are the fulfilment of a pledge toward operational expenses for YWAM’s training and medical ship, the MV YWAM PNG.

Member for Sohe Open, Delilah Gore, said the funding represents the district administration’s commitment to reaching isolated communities in Sohe District with healthcare and training.  

The 38 protection officers graduated with certificates following the recent one week training based on the policy and how it should be implemented.

The National Child Protection Policy 2017-2027 specifically aims to see child protection system coordination and leadership at all levels of government is improved.

The protection officers that graduated came from the National Capital District, Central Province and Motu Koita.

Gore said if she retains the Sohe open seat after the elections, working more closely with the Provincial Governor and Government is something she longs to see.

She said cooperation will provide for counterpart funding of services to people in the Province.

“Counterpart funding is really the way forward for the province. Because we are serving the same people from the district and the provincial level.

“It’s something that I’m really looking forward,” Gore said.

This was revealed today when Minister Gore presented the 2016 DSIP acquittal report for Sohe to the Department of Implementation and Rural Development (DIRD).

Minister Gore is the only current sitting MP to have acquitted all DSIP funds from 2013 to last year.

The Minister thanked her District administration and treasury for ensuring that all necessary paper work was available for compilation and presentation.

 “We are proud to be presenting these acquittals because we are going into elections and I want to clean my backyard before I go into elections.

Gore said following the launch of the National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to GBV 2016-2025 on Friday, March 24 that only through collaborative efforts can Papua New Guinea achieve this result.

Gore highlighted that every one, as individuals and as leaders must commit to zero tolerance towards GBV.

The strategy aims to strengthen the work on GBV in order to achieve zero-tolerance towards GBV by 2025 and as per PNG Vision 2050.

“As the leading government department I will ensure that adequate resources will be committed to implement the strategy.