JUNE 13 2022
Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has promised the people of Iokea (Iok City) in Gulf that they will have a new road linking them to the Hiritano Highway to celebrate the election of Pangu MP Thomas Opa as Kerema MP.
He has also assured them that his Government would connect them to electricity and continue to construct and maintain the highway all the way from Kerema to Port Moresby.
PM Marape said this when addressing a massive crowd of people from all over Gulf who congregated at Iokea on Sunday (June 12 2022) for a campaign rally for Opa.
He also opened a traditional ‘elavo’ (haus man) for Opa.
The Prime Minister was accompanied by wife Rachael and Public Service Minister and Nuku MP Hon. Joe Sungi.
“This is not the last time that I will be here in ‘Iok City’,” he told a cheering crowd.
“I want to come back to Kerema and ‘Iok City’ for the win celebration party of the Hon. Thomas Opa.
“I claim this in faith because I’ve seen him and his dedication for the people of Kerema, Gulf and Papua New Guinea.
“He tells me he’s 43 years old.
“Next year, we will celebrate his 44th birthday with a new road that comes from the turnoff, down to his village here.
“This is for a village that has given governors-general, ministers, public servants, missionaries and people who’ve served this country.
“For you to still have poor roads and no power is incomprehensible – 46 years on from Independence.
“You are so close to Hiritano Highway, and yet so far away, which does not reflect well on past governments.
“As the present Government, I sincerely apologise, if we have left you behind.”
PM Marape told the people he was saddened by the state of road leading from the main highway into Iokea.
“I come into this village and my heart bleeds,” he said.
“You saw missionaries 100 years ago, you saw white man 100 years ago, but you still travel on bad road into your village, no power is connected to your village.
“This cannot be the lifestyle into the next 40 years – it must change.
“Leadership is what makes or breaks this country.
“Today, I come to you for you to consolidate Thomas Opa and send him into Parliament, because the country is churning out young men and women but nothing has happened for the last 46 years.
“Thomas (Opa) is not yet an MP, however, he does work for his people – that is why I call him ‘Honorable’.
“Thomas belongs to the young army of leaders who want to assist me in taking back what is your rightful inheritance, so that no-one is left behind.”
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