Arore maintains he is the Governor, denies allegations

IJIVITARI MP David Arore maintained yesterday that his election as Governor is legal while denying allegations against him by Gary Juffa.

Mr Arore said his appointment as the Governor by members of the provincial executive councils was in accordance with Section 20 of the Organic Law on Provincial and Local Level Governments. Mr Arore said he had won the seat with overwhelming support from the Provincial Assembly members. He has asked Mr Juffa to challenge the election results in court.

"There is nothing illegal here, I have two-third of the PEC members support and the Minister Delilah Gore is also backing me because we are fed up of his actions," he said.

Mr Arore said according to Section 20 (c) an elected governor can be disqualified as the Chairman of the PEC if that person is found to be negligence in performing official functions and responsibilities as under section 25 of the Organic Law.

He said Section 20 (d) of the Organic Law also states that if that elected person’s "acts and omissions brings into disrepute of the Governor, he can be replaced through a vote of no-confidence".

"The areas are broad to dismiss the governor and we are following such precedents that have been set in the past such as the Abaijah vs Phelemon case," Mr Arore claimed. He has denied claims by Mr Juffa that he had received funds from a logging company to create the current political turmoil in Northern Province.

"If he is the Governor for Northern Province, he should be in Northern Province more often, not in Port Moresby.

PNG Today/Post Courier