KEITH JACKSON
The information in this series is derived from public sources and, in some cases, may not be accurate. We invite readers to offer corrections and additional material by contacting the editor here.
WESTERN
Aide Ganasi (South Fly, People’s National Congress), a former Army officer, is the new MP. Major Ganisi a PNGDF officer for 23 years and who served in Bougainville, had come a close second in the past two elections. Before the election he reflected on the need for leadership and said “the South Fly people have been suffering for too long and with Mr O’Neill certain to retain the top post they must consider their choice carefully as it will reflect on services finally reaching the people.”
Ati Wobiro (Western, People's United Assembly) shocked the leader of the PNG Labor Party, Dr Bob Danaya, who held this seat for 10years. The PNG Sustainable Development Program Director, who led much development in the province, was considered a good thing by locals. Wobiro, a former corporate planner with PANGTEL, is something of a management guru and has written a number of monographs for the Melanesian Institute on management related issues.
Roy Biyama (Middle Fly, People’s National Congress) is now in his third term and has been Minister for State Assisting the Prime Minister. He gained something of an advantage in May when Peter O’Neill opened ‘Roy Biyama House’ in Balimo which accommodates five new government offices. O’Neill urged urged the people to re-elect Biyama as their MP if they wanted to see more services. They complied. In 2007 he wrote that he was angered by a report in the Post-Courier, MP’s defraud K5m set for town project, but did not sue the newspaper.
Boka Kondra (North Fly, People’s National Congress) was first elected in 2007 after failing at his first attempt in 2002. The giant Ok Tedi mine is located within the electorate, and Kondra has made it clear he intends to facilitate the creation of wealth by Papua New Guinea land and resource owners by handing over control of Papua New Guinea’s resources to landowner groups – an idea which briefly flourished in late 2011 (after Kondra was appointed ‘vice minister’ for mining) under Byron Chan, until O’Neill, shocked by resource companies’ reaction, put an end to it. Kondra has also joined an international campaign to support West Papuans alleged to be persecuted by Indonesian authorities, criticising PNG’s inaction over the “plight of their fellow Melanesians”.
SIMBU
Kerenga Kua (Sinasina-Yongomugl, Independent) defeated widely disliked Speaker Jeffrey Nape. Kua, a lawyer for 25 years, is president of the PNG Law Society and very distinguished in his profession. He has had great experience in company and commercial law and two years ago had to flee Port Moresby after a price was put on his head by a vexatious litigant. Amongst other roles Kua has worked as a senior associate with Blake Dawson Waldron in PNG and Australia and has been a lawyer of the Supreme Court since 1987.
Wera Mori (Chuave, Triumph Heritage Empowerment Party), well known in the Simbu, unseated Jim Nomare (People’s National Congress). He is a successful businessman who was founding national president of the People’s Party, which he’s since left behind. A geologist by training he is managing director of EMR Limited, a company specialising in mineral exploration and geotechnical services. Mori holds a post graduate diploma in geology and graduated with a Bachelor of Science from the University of Papua New Guinea.
Noah Kool (Chimbu, Independent) seemed to have the seat well in his grasp as we went to press. He is a local teacher, a respected church leader and has been described as ‘laid back’. Kool was a rugby league star in the 1990s when who made an international appearance for PNG. He has previously had an unsuccessful attempt at winning a seat.
Dawa Lukas Dekena (Gumine, PNG Party), one time Planning Minister, has been re-elected. Best remembered for supporting moves to weaken the Ombudsman’s powers to issue directives when investigating allegations of misconduct by politicians. “When jealous critics file false allegations before the OC, they proceed on with investigations and suppress the MPs from performing and delivering services which greatly affect the people in their respective districts,” Dawa said.
Tobias Kulang (Kundiawa, PNG Constitutional Development Party) Kulang graduated from Divine Word University as an accountant and, after a stint in the Ok Tedi Mining township of Tabubil, established Star Business Consultancy. The operation expanded and by 2009 had opened a head office in Port Moresby with more than 40 staff. When the local MP Joe Teini died last year, Kulang won the seat in a by-election. The people of Kulang’s home place of Mt Wilhelm are said to be “ecstatic” at his success.
Maugerema Siko Wii (Karamui-Nomane, Independent). Narrowly defeated (about 70 votes) sitting candidiate Michael Korry. Maugerema carved out a successful busines in Lae as owner of the City Guest House in Top Town Lae.
Camillus Dangma Bongoro (Kerowagi, Independent) defeated the sitting member Guma Wau and is a first-timer in parliament. He is reported to manage some of the many business enterprises owned by Kerenga Kua (Sinasina-Yongomugl, above).
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Ok Tedi employees or ex-employees figure prominently in this list - Ati Wobiro, Wera Mori and Tobias Kolang.
How many OTML ex-employees might there be in Parliament overall?
Posted by: Richard Jackson | 26 November 2012 at 02:13 PM