Prime Minister (PM) James Marape has made it clear that Pomio MP Elias Kapavore’s return to the government is both welcomed and well within his rights. In a no-holds-barred address, Marape emphasized that Kapavore’s move aligns with the freedoms enshrined in Papua New Guinea’s Constitution. “He (Kapavore) texted me earlier today (Thursday 29th August) saying that ‘I'm coming back,’ and I said, ‘Welcome back, you are certainly welcome back,’” Marape revealed, highlighting that the return was entirely Kapavore’s decision. “Members of the Internal, Section 45 of our Constitution allows for freedom of movement. Freedom of association, Section 46, if I'm not wrong. It's the total freedom of movement and freedom of association,” Marape said upon his return from the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Summit in the Kingdom of Tonga. In a straightforward acknowledgment of Kapavore’s choice, Marape stated, “He was not asked to leave, and he was not asked to come back, based on what is on offer.” "The Honorable Elias Kapavore is a member of his people, he's a leader that is entitled to make his own call." "We've invested five bridges in key strategic areas, even when he was still in Opposition - we did not say it's an Opposition district." "Pomio people are our people... And so, we've invested ... a special road that should link the south side of East New Britain," Marape said, echoing similar reasons raised by Kapavore. Marape also took this opportunity to underline the significance of unity, especially with the looming vote of no confidence (VONC). “It's not one morning you wake up and you feel that, oh, I could be the Prime Minister. Of course, everyone can be the Prime Minister,” Marape said in a blunt tone during a press conference held at APEC Terminal at Jacksons International Airport in Port Moresby. Surrounded by his key Cabinet Ministers, the Deputy Prime Minister, and other government MPs, Marape did not mince words when he underscored the seriousness of the VONC. “In a vote of no confidence play, you have the incumbent's character, aptitude, temperament, and ability on the table, and that’s for leading. And the alternate that is proposed. So, being in the opposition for some time, you would have seen the different contest for alternates that happen. So, it’s just a two-way street. The incumbent and the alternate. We're not playing marbles here. People's life, country's life is at stake.” Marape also did not hold back when critiquing the opposition’s lack of cohesion and preparedness. “Whether it's on growing the economy, creating jobs, law and order, increasing student enrollment in school, hospital invitations, we have clear policies, outcomes that we pronounce in 2019. And every now and then we take a review. When we go into retreat, we review,” he stated, taking a swipe at the opposition’s failure to present a united front. “The opposition is an unseen hand that remains at the back... No wonder why you had two former opposition leaders vacating their jobs,” Marape remarked, clearly referring to the disarray within the opposition ranks. He continued with a stern piece of advice, urging the opposition to get its act together: “Rally behind one face. Pronounce the alternate to the country. If the opposition was serious, please, for goodness' sake, the Westminster conventional system of government is that the opposition leader is the alternate. You don't fish out the alternate. You seriously place the opposition leader as the opposite to government policy. And you rally behind him, and he becomes the face of the opposition.” Marape expressed his amusement with the current opposition leader, Douglas Tomuriesa, who he described as lost. “Today, the opposition leader (Douglas Tomuriesa), I feel for my brother from Kriwina. Very experienced man in his own right. But he's lost. He's not the alternate (Prime Minister nominee).” With the vote of no confidence looming, Marape emphasized the importance of following the proper process. “Rally behind one face. Pronounce the alternate to the country. And if you want to move a vote of no confidence, totally within your entitlements,” he said. Marape also made it clear that the opposition needs to respect the VONC process and act responsibly. He criticized the opposition for repeatedly failing to correctly fill out the necessary forms, which had caused unnecessary delays and confusion. “Please do it correctly. We have the late Central Bougainville MP Father Simon Dumarinu to honour next week, Tuesday. His body is coming to Parliament next week, Tuesday." "We have Wednesday the private business committee seat, so free advice to them." "Last five times, you filled the forms incorrectly. You're not imbeciles. You're not stupids. Please, for goodness' sake, respect yourself; you're intelligent. Fill the form correctly. Don't waste all of our time. You held the country to ransom by incorrectly filling the forms.” Marape highlighted a specific instance where the opposition deliberately made errors to create tension: “For instance, the fourth time, whoever was filling out the form wrote one, two, three signatures. And then started with five on the other side - deliberate disloyalty by those who filled. Number was not on their side, just to create tension. Let's not be irresponsible. VONC process is there for everyone to follow.” Marape concluded his address by expressing his confidence in his government’s ability to handle the upcoming VONC. “We have an issue. Do it properly. Next week, we're going to Parliament. Give respect to Father, late member of Central Bougainville. Wednesday, the private business committee sits. What's in your paper on Tuesday? Wednesday, if it sits and it's competent, there'll be a notice on Thursday.” He also reassured the nation that his government is prepared to face the VONC head-on: “We attend for one week. We come back the following Thursday. Let's get to dealing with the numbers. Simple as that. They could have done that in February. Just because they had no number, they were confusing everyone. So, they were making deliberate mistakes. They were making deliberate mistakes.” As the political landscape in Papua New Guinea continues to shift, Marape’s leadership remains steadfast. “On our side, we just want to say that members are free to move around. We want to go forward. In any case, we come back to government. We never chased them out. They went out, but their space is there. We give respect to what they do.” Marape has made it clear – his government is ready, and it’s not backing down. ///ends/// Feature