Dr William Tongamp

Peoples Party Backs Women

Party Leader, Dr William Tongamp said People’s Party has no doubt that women are more than capable to hold office as Members of Parliament. He said the Party believes having women in parliament is best for the country.

PM to give detailed report on highway upgrade

Governor for Jiwaka, Dr William Tongamp, had raised concerns that the K3 billion ADB funded project has been launched almost a year ago, but there are sections of the highway where work has not begun yet, including road designs.

Dr Tongamp wanted to know if the three contracting companies are fully mobilised; how much each has received already and how far they have done their share of the work.

The Jiwaka Governor was concerned that the 61 kilometre stretch of road between Simbu to Western Highlands section – which also runs through his province – has not picked up yet.

Minister queried on mechanisms against slurry spills

In his supplementary question in Parliament today, Jiwaka Governor, Dr William Tongamp, asked the Minister for Environment, Conservation & Climate Change, Wera Mori, on the point of origin of the Ramu NiCo slurry spill.

Dr Tongamp said there should have been a containment pond to prevent toxic tailings from getting discharged into the environment.

“From reports we are getting, in the past there were a couple of spillages of similar magnitude but they were not reported properly,” Dr Tongamp said.

Chamber refutes governor’s statement

In a statement, the Chamber labelled Governor Tongamp’s statement as factually incorrect and misleading.

“The new MRA Act passed by Parliament last year has removed all industry representation from the Board of the Mineral Resources Authority,” the PNG Chamber of Mines and Petroleum said.

“The passage of the revised Act in February 2018 effectively removed the industry from the MRA Board.

Dr Tongamp is new leader of People’s Party

Sir Peter passed on the leadership after moving to Prime Minister Peter O’Neill’s party People’s National Congress.

“I move to PNC leaving the People’s Party in safe and capable hands under the leadership of Jiwaka Governor, Dr William Tongamp.

“As the Leader of the People’s Party, he will provide the direction that is needed for people of the Highlands in the next Parliament,” Sir Peter said.