PM Marape appeals to people of Tari-Pori for forgiveness to heal differences

 PNG Prime Minister  James Marape, MP, has appealed to his people of Tari-Pori to use the power of forgiveness to heal their differences and start new lives during this Christmas.

He was speaking to hundreds of people at the Andaja Oval in Tari on Christmas Day. 

Prime Minister Marape was accompanied by Minister for Labour and Employment and Lagaip- Porgera MP Hon. Tomait Kapili, Transport Minister and Goilala MP Hon. William Samb and Hela leaders led by businessman Larry Andagali, Peterson Pipi and Pai Wasa.

Prime Minister Marape told them that the power of forgiveness healed souls to avoid hatred and resentment that could occur as a result of harboring differences.

“I appeal to you, my people of Tari-Pori and greater Hela Province, to forgive your brothers, families, clansman and tribal groups who have differences with you this Christmas, " he said. 

“PNG is a place with many people with different cultures and tribal groups, but we co-exist in harmony despite the many differences caused by  politics and opinions of social issues and development agenda or needs.

“This Christmas, I want you to forgive one another and not to hold your onto  differences.

"If your husband or children has caused you upset, I appeal to you to forgive them.

“If your brothers or sisters in the family have caused you to be upset, say sorry and forgive them. 

"Do not hold grudges and personal differences, as these will affect you in your life and eventually lead to hatred, anger and conflicts."

Prime Minister Marape also appealed to his Tari-Pori people to go into farming and small business activities to support their families as the National Government would support the Small to Medium Enterprises (SME) sector.

“The Government has allocated K1.5 million to the Tari-Pori District to support SMEs," he said. 

" I appeal to you to go into farming, marketing and engage in small business activities that will help you generate income.

“Your Governor Philip Undialu, and the Hela Province, has pledged another K500, 000 which will total K2 million for the district's SME space so that we can help promote the local economy and create employment opportunities.

“Our District will ensure we appoint someone who is trusted to help manage the funding, and can evenly it to all groups of people who are engaged in the SME area and not misapplied."

Prime Minister Marape said all these would come about when people forgive each other, live in peace and unity and respect the rule of law.

He told his people to appreciate the 52 solid MPs who remained loyal to him at Loloata during the political development, and others who crossed the floor to support him.

‘’We, the people of Tari-Pori, owe them. 

" Like you have elected our leaders from Hela Province, those 52 leaders were mandated by their people to lead them.

" During this Christmas, we must learn to forgive, to heal differences amongst ourselves here in Tari, the greater Hela Province. "

Prime Minister Marape and his delegation were in Tari to be with his people to celebrate Christmas and  visit them after the political events of the past month.

He later paid a visit to the ‘haus krai’ or mourning house of his longest serving Tari-Pori District Development Authority (DDA) CEO, David Takitako, who passed away in Port Moresby recently.

Statement/ PNG Today

Next : Late Sir Mekere Morauta's Body to return to PNG, Govt approves 5 days mourning period