The by elections are drawing to a close with most of the contested seat declaring winners already with Porgera Paiela in Enga province and Kabwum in Morobe province being the latest to do so, with both Members elect to take their place amongst the other leaders in parliament. Prime Minister James Marape very recently extended his heartfelt congratulations to Gidron Maso Karipe, Member-elect for Porgera-Paiela in Enga Province, and Patrick Basa, new MP for Kabwum in Morobe Province on their victories respectively. “On behalf of the Government and the people of Papua New Guinea, I congratulate the Member-elect for Porgera-Paiela and the new Kabwum MP, and we welcome them into our government ranks,” Prime Minister Marape said. Mr. Karipe, who contested the by-election as an independent, secured victory with 19,223 votes, defeating his closest rival by a margin of 5,495 votes. The seat was previously held by his late father, Maso Karipe, the first Member for the newly created Porgera-Paiela electorate, who passed away in 2023. “I noted from the trend in the polling that he collected well in the first preference votes and also, in the preferential counts after every elimination,” Prime Minister Marape said. “He is possibly the youngest member in this Parliament. His late father was the first Member for the new Porgera-Paiela electorate, and I look forward to working with him to continue the work that his father started.” The Prime Minister said Porgera-Paiela remains one of the country’s most resource-rich districts, with an estimated 19 more years of mine life at the Porgera Gold Mine. “He has told me he wants to assist in completing the Community Development Agreement for the mine, ensuring fair and just benefit distribution to the people in the impact areas, including Porgera Valley, Enga Province, and the three other impacted provinces,” Prime Minister Marape said. The Prime Minister also congratulated Patrick Basa, who secured victory in the Kabwum by election with 11,941 votes, defeating his nearest rival, Haring Quoreka, by 3,227 votes. Mr. Basa contested the by-election under Our Party and returns to Parliament after the National Court ordered a fresh by-election. “Kabwum is an isolated electorate with huge potential,” Prime Minister Marape said. “Patrick Basa’s focus on improving roads, law enforcement, health, and education services will greatly benefit his people, and I welcome him back into the Government ranks.” Prime Minister Marape also appealed to the people of Porgera-Paiela to protect public infrastructure. “Roads, lead to development and the free flow of goods and services,” he said. “Don’t disturb the roads, don’t block the roads, don’t destroy bridges. If you have an issue with someone, take it up to the police or community mediation. Violence and disorder will not do anybody any good.