Pacific Islands: PINA and Pacific -
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Last Visited: 7/24/2004
Gumine MP Nick Kuman said Wednesday the Chimbu Provincial Assembly would remove acting Governor Alphonse Willie if he does not voluntarily hand over the governorship to newly-elected Regional MP Peter Launa.
Kuman said Mr Willie must respect the wish of the people, and handover the post to Mr Launa.
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"Mr Willie was appointed by the assembly to fill a vacancy.
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Acting Governor Willie is a member of Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare's National Alliance party.
MP Kuman's comments come after a number of leaders in the province earlier this week called on Willie to step down and hand over the reins to Mr Launa.
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But Mr Willie says he is not quitting the post and cited section 17 (2), 19 and 20 of the Organic Law on Provincial and Local Level Government allows him to continue to hold office, even after a regional member is elected in a by-election.
Willie said there was a vacancy when former governor Fr Louis Ambane died, but that vacancy was filled with the assembly electing him to be governor.