NCD

As of 4pm today, four candidates' nominations were accepted by the NCD's Election Manager and Returning Officer Terrence Hetinu,  who said nominations have been slow.

The first to nominate yesterday for North West was Micros Nea, an independent candidate at 4:47pm.

Today, former Chairman of Motu Koitabu Council Miria Ikupu nominated at 1:40pm. He will be running as an Independent candidate.

The duo did a public reconciliation at the Jack Pidik Park today to announce to the public their decision now that Vele will be contesting the Rigo Open.

Vele and Parkop were rivals contesting the Governor’s seat in 2007 and 2012.

Electoral coordinator of NCD governor, Lawrence Martin said the reconciliation is a process to combine forces and introduce corporation from Vele’s supporters in NCD to help Parkop contest in this election.

Terence Moka told Loop PNG that comments on Facebook and from certain media organization that Governor Parkop came more than an hour late for the farewell  of East Sepik Governor and PNG’s first Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare is untrue.  

“I was there at the Stadium, and Governor Parkop came 15 minutes late,” Moka said.

He said plans were cancel the event because of the rain but because Sir Michael had already arrived at Sir Hubert Murray Stadium, the event had to proceed and Governor Parkop had to rush to the stadium.

In his responds to a facebook post, Parkop salute the late Hau O’fa for his contributions to the development of the country and also to the media industry.

“We all mourn the loss of this great but humble man. A champion who is as tall as a mountain and as strong as a lion.

“No amount of tears will wipe away the loss and sadness we feel and I personally feel at the loss of a dear brother and a great human being.

“We all feel the pain of the family. We grieve with them but we salute this National Hero.

Parkop made these remarks at a public event this week in the Moresby South electorate following complaints from the public on social media about the use of faces and names of politicians on buildings and other things.

Parkop argued that money has been appropriated under the Provincial and District Services Improvement Program (PSIP and DSIP) funds to promote leadership.

He said, “We are just complementing and encouraging someone who has done well as a leader and it’s not about campaigning.

And to kick start the 2017 academic year, college executive director Fr Paul Jennings during the opening mass encouraged the students to be obedient.

Fr Paul’s first statement at the beginning of the Mass was 100 years this year.  “The first big thing we do is to come together and give thanks to God and ask him to bless us and to bless everything we do this year.” 

In his Homily, he shared the deeper meaning of obedience by listening   with a good heart and responding   with a strong heart.

He says his decision will be made when there is sufficient support from the people and especially current parliamentarians for a new Government.

In a public statement in the media Sir Mekere said although he enjoys retirement from politics, he cannot ignore the plea of Papua New Guineans for him to re-enter politics.

“They all say you fixed it before, please come back and do it again.”

Christmas has arrived in the City of Port Moresby, the event that kicks off the holiday season locally, and people celebrate openly with families, friends and loved ones.

There are nothing like the sparkle of colorful Christmas lights at this time of the year to give the city streets an instant festive fever.

Once again, Jack Pidik Park in Port Moresby is ready to glow with the artificial Christmas trees that are now set up for the December evening entertainments.

It is another form of scholarship assistance apart from the Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET).

Terence Moka, the Executive Officer to the NCD Governor said the whole idea for such scholarships is to give second chance to the unfortunate youths who have been pushed out of school.

The NCD Governor’s scholarships covers students attending various technical and tertiary institutions who are permanent NCD residents.

NCD secured the first spot in the grand final after proving the better side defeating Daru 97-68 in the first semi-final.

Port Moresby (1) on the other hand had the easiest of wins forfeiting Kupiano to book themselves into tonight's grand final at 7:30pm.

Daru and Kupiano will play for bronze.