William Samb

Box 11 - Mathew Poia was the decider for the race between Samb and Alex Hoem Robert.

Despite Robert collecting a good 1,105, Samb climbed 89 votes higher to 6,576.

The absolute majority was 5,664.

Samb was declared the legitimate member at 4:30pm this afternoon by RO Theodore Maia at the counting venue, Gordon Police gymnasium.

Runner up Robert was 4,752.

This will be Samb's first full 5-year term.

He won the by-election after the passing of Daniel Mona in 2014.

He was member-elect for 18 months.

Samb, who has been in Parliament for roughly over 15 months, entered the House after winning a by-election following the death of incumbent MP Daniel Mona in 2015.

Samb, an engineer, was especially concerned about the deteriorating state of the Hiritano Highway, but also made specific reference to the upcoming development of the Papua LNG and Elk and Antelope developments in Gulf Province.

“We Papuan leaders must come together as a group so that we can be a strong regional group to call for bigger development in our region.

Pangu Party and Deputy Opposition Leader, Sam Basil, is appealing to all the 4,000 intending candidates to join the campaign to mount a legal challenge against the proposed laws.

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill recently confirmed his plans to increase the candidate nomination fee from K1,000 to K10,000, and fees for election petitions from K5,000 to K20,000.

Basil made the call yesterday alongside Member for Goilala, William Samb, in a media conference.

Samb has come on board to support Pangu Party and Deputy Opposition Leader, Sam Basil, to challenge the proposed nomination and election petition fee amendments in court.

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill recently confirmed his plans to increase the candidate nomination fee from K1,000 to K10,000, and fees for election petitions from K5,000 to K20,000.

O’Neill claims that amendments are necessary as elections were costly and the increase would assist Electoral Commission to generate funds in instances of costs in running the elections.

Local member William Samb says to date, at least more than 20 emergency cases have successfully been medevac into Port Moresby by Manalosa Aviation as per the understanding with the company.

This has further been made easier with the VSAT installation program rolled out through the district this year, enabling smooth communication.

In a media conference on Friday, Samb extended gratitude to all key players that have allowed for the services to translate.

“I want to tell the Australia taxpayers to know that it is a waste of their taxpayers money by having AFP officers here, what advise did they give to PNG Police and what is their role here?” the Opposition MP questioned.   

“AFP have failed their responsibilities.”  

Samb’s comments followed the brutal use of force by local Police last Wednesday on the University of Papua New Guinea students protest.

Many students were injured when police fired canisters of tear gas and live bullets on the students to stop them.

Goilala MP views on Opposition

http://www.looppng.com/content/goilala-mp-views-opposition

Though being in the Opposition is ‘most feared by many’ in PNG politics, it adds value to one’s leadership quality than just being a back-bencher in government, an MP says.

Basil sees 2016 as year to tackle Govt

http://www.looppng.com/content/basil-sees-2016-year-tackle-govt

Goilala MP William Samb said as a first timer in politics he doubted whether his move to the Opposition was the right move.

Mr Samb, however, said he was satisfied that he made the right choice when reminiscing the path that he undertook in the last four months.

“If I had joined the government, I would have only added the statistics of the government’s numerical strengths,” he said.

He made the comments at the Opposition’s Christmas party in the Parliament’s State Function room in Port Moresby last Friday.