PNG province puts Potape in prime role

7:01 pm on 30 December 2015

Francis Potape has been elected and sworn in as the new governor of Hela Province in Papua New Guinea.

The election by the provincial assembly in Tari came after the National Court in Port Moresby rejected an appeal by Anderson Agiru, who was challenging his removal last week.

Ten of the 14 assembly members, who had unceremoniously dumped the incumbent in a vote of no-confidence last Tuesday, voted for the new Governor.

The Post Courier reports that the provincial assembly ousted Mr Agiru citing a lack of leadership and the mismanagement of public funds among other factors.

Hela province, Papua New Guinea.

Hela province, Papua New Guinea. Photo: RNZ / Johnny Blades