Hela

In a joined media conference today, Governor Philip Undialu, Tari Pori MP James Marape, Koroba Kopiago MP Manasseh Makiba and Komo Margarima MP Petrus Thomas, have committed to serving their people and nothing else.

Leading the young province, Governor Undialu called on all the leaders in the province to set aside personnel differences and work together for the good of Hela.

He said Hela has not been achieving any tangible service delivery since becoming a province because of the infighting among political leaders.

He said the people of Hela have spoken through the ballot papers and this must be respect.

In an exclusive interview with Loop PNG Governor Undialu stressed that Potape was coming up with all sorts of excuses to bring him down.

He said allegations raised by Potape against his win were all lies and made up adding that the right channel for him to follow is to go to court.

The member elect adds that the people of Hela are tired of such leaders and want to move Hela forward.

Potape made these remarks this afternoon in a media conference in Port Moresby after his victory was allegedly hijacked by the Provincial Election Manager John Tipa.

“This is Hela politics at its best and am appealing to the good Prime Minister to not get involved in it as it might spoil the good relationship his party have with the people of Hela,” says Potape.

In a media conference today, Potape said Undialu’s election victory is fake because it did not follow proper legal process.

“I am the duly elected Governor by the people of Hela as their Regional Member but have been denied declaration by the Provincial Returning officer,” says Potape.

After the final elimination of the last candidate in the race, Dr Hewali Hamiya, Potape collected 14,642 bringing his total score to 67,435 while Undialu collected 6,741 which brings his score to 65,836.

Loop PNG understands that, Philip Undialu, has been declared as Governor-elect for Hela Province by Election Manager John Tipa.

However, this is being disputed by Francis Potape, alleging that Tipa burnt the master tally board this morning before doing the declaration.

Potape further alleges that Tipa had been bribed by the People’s National Congress (PNC) Party to declare Undialu without following the proper legal process.

Potape told Loop PNG from Tari that after the final elimination, his score was 67,435 while Undialu collected 65,836.

Tari-Pori Returning Officer, Jack Walara, made the call after claims of illegal ballot papers being taken to Hela Province were made.

He told Loop PNG that the ballot papers were not illegal but instead, were sent to the wrong port.

"The ballot papers were supposed to be sent to Tari-Pori but instead, went to Koroba-Kopiago district."

He explained that the ballot papers had been destroyed because they might be tampered with.

However, Walara said the Electoral Commission has issued new ballot papers and they are looking forward to polling today.

Using the Commonwealth Doctrine of Necessity and the powers of the court, Chief Justice, Sir Salamo Injia appointed Thomas Potape as acting Hela governor.

He will be acting in that post, until the return of writs.

This ruling was made late Wednesday afternoon after a stay application that was filed by Komo-Margarima MP, Francis Potape was refused.

The rally was led by Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and his PNC Hela candidates, with the incumbent member for Tari-Pori and Finance Minister James Marape.

Reports on the ground say the Prime Minister was quickly whisked to safety when the crowd started throwing stones at each other, forcing the police to fire teargas.

The Hela Provincial Police Commander, Michael Welly, has confirmed the reports.

However, the PM’s officials say it is a minor incident between supporters of rival candidates.

This is the third reported disruption from the public at PNC rallies.

In a statement, ExxonMobil stated that the well successfully flowed gas at a rate of 16 million standard cubic feet per day.

The well rate was constrained by test facilities which limited tests to short flow and build up periods. Hydrocarbon samples were collected during the production test.

“We are encouraged by these well test results and will integrate them into the ongoing resource evaluation work and potential appraisal program in 2018,” president of ExxonMobil Exploration Company, Steve Greenlee said.

This should begin with elections in the provincial assembly because so much is at stake.

Undialu, who is contesting the Hela Regional Seat and has been in and out of court over the governor post, said precedent has to be set to follow the law to be elected governor. 

He made these comments outside the Waigani court precinct following the National Court’s decision, declaring Potape’s election as governor illegal for the third time.