Potabe takes charge of Hela

Member for Komo-Margarima and a candidate in the vacant Hela provincial seat, Francis Potape has welcomed today's court decision to declare the election of Philip Undialu null and void.

Deputy Governor, Thomas Potabe now takes charge of the province and will call a provincial executive council meeting this Thursday before an assembly is conducted next week Tuesday to appoint a new governor.

Potape is optimistic to return as the duly elected governor of the province after the court also gave clear directions on who the legitimate members of the provincial assembly are.

Two members of the assembly Eric Yawas and Efala Pape who were rejected by the Hela provincial assembly under Undialu's leadership, were also recognized by the court today, meaning they can participate in the assembly meeting next week Tuesday when the assembly convenes.

Potape in welcoming these decisions also expressed concern at how the Deputy Prime Minister and the office of the Provincial and Local Level government affairs have been interfering with Hela politics, even writing letters and recognizing those who should and should not vote in the assembly.

He said this department is partly to be blame for causing instability within the province.

With an earlier court ruling yesterday not to hold Hela by elections, Potape says the province now needs leadership and says he will support whoever comes out the winner after the assembly meeting next week.

Deputy Governor  Potabe is now ready to move into the provincial headquarters this Thursday for the PEC and urged all public servants to work together with him pending the appointment of a new governor.

He said severe actions will be taken if public servants do not perform their mandated duties but try to play politics.

Author: 
Ruth Rungula