11 Jul 2005

Governor of PNG's Madang province given deadline over petition to resign

12:47 pm on 11 July 2005

The Governor of Papua New Guinea's Madang Province, James Yali, has until July 14th to respond to a petition that he resign.

The petition, signed by 19 members of the provincial assembly, says he has "deliberately and persistently disobeyed the laws of the country by committing serious crimes which had interfered with his official duties."

He is alleged to have been negligent in exercising his powers, or performing his duties, functions and responsibilities.

The petitioners say that if Mr Yali does not respond to the petition by July 14th, the assembly will proceed to elect a new governor.