Pangu made right decision to join O'Neill Government

Pangu leader Samuel Basil 

Pangu Pati leader Sam Basil has reiterated that his party’s decision to join the O’Neill government was the right decision despite the many negative criticisms against their move in September last year.

“We made the decision to move and it was a tough decision but spot on, there were many critics out there but patience always pays and its good,” he said.

He said his 15 Pangu members were happy when they were given a ministry but they are now very happy that the Prime Minister has given them another ministry and another number in Cabinet.

“I want to thank you Prime Minister for having trust in Pangu party and for giving us another Ministry. Thanks for the confidence and we will remain with you and we are bound to be trusted,” said Mr Basil

During and leading up to the 2017 National Elections , Mr Basil who was in the opposition in the last term of parliament and his Pangu party were one of the O’Neill Government’s most outspoken critics.

The Pangu party under his leadership conducted a very aggressive and successful campaign in the Morobe province where many senior Government MPs from the last term were rejected and his party members were elected as MPs.

When making the move at that time he said: “I have served from the Opposition ranks long enough to know that funds for district services improvement program and appropriated development project funds can be hard to access for Opposition MPs. As Bulolo MP, I have managed to secure DSIP and project funding for Bulolo district over the past 10 years. But what many do not know is that I have had to work10 times as hard, use every ability, skill and network to ensure that happens.

“As a responsible parliamentary leader, I cannot subject Pangu MPs returned at the 2017 polls as well as the Independent MPs who joined later to these unnecessary hardships,” Mr Basil said.

Statement