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+--- Thread: Potape leaves opposition to join coalition to help on PNG LNG (/showthread.php?tid=3535)
Potape leaves opposition to join coalition to help on PNG LNG - Palm - 05-02-2013
And then Namah had 14:
Potape announces intention to joint gov
By JACOB POK
THE Opposition is declining in numbers as another key member made his intention known yesterday to move over to the government side.
Deputy leader of PNG Party and strong member of the opposition, Francis Potape, announced at a press conference in parliament yesterday that he will leave the opposition and join the government side.
The Komo-Magarima MP said it was a tough decision, but he had to do so for the interest of his people and to fully serve his electorate which hosts the multi-billion kina PNG LNG project in the Hela Province.
He said he had to consult Opposition leader and PNG Party leader Belden Namah on his intentions prior to leaving the opposition. He said although it was tough, Mr Namah, as a good leader who upholds the interests of the people, allowed him to join the government. “I am joining the government at the time when PNG’s biggest resource project, PNG LNG Project, is sailing into the dark minefields. No amount of ministerial or corporate statements will change the realities on the ground right now,” Mr Potape said.
“My electorate hosts the PNG LNG project and I often feel the pain everyday but I keep quiet in the interest of PNG. One must go to Komo and Hides areas to see the realities. It is my duty as a mandated leader to provide the relevant advice to the government on a timely basis but by being in the opposition, it is not easy. The only way for me to do so is by being in the government, so upon wider consultation with my people, I am now moving over to join the O’Neil-Dion government,” Mr Potape said.
He said in his honest view, the government has not provided the leadership to protect the huge project of national importance.
“Monetary benefits paid to or will be paid to landowners or provincial governments are not everything. What the people expect is real and genuine leadership and partnership by the relevant ministers and line departments,” Mr Potape added.
Mr Potape thanked Mr Namah and the rest of the opposition members for being part of them.
This now brings the total number of 14 opposition members down to 10 members.