Ogio sworn in as governor general

GG Ogio sworn in ... Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia is the first to offer his congratulations after Governor-General-elect Michael Ogio was sworn into office at the parliament chamber last Friday. A guard of honour, put on by members of the disciplinary force, set the pace for the 30-minute swearing-in ceremony. Parliament was then adjourned to resume at 2pm on May 10. Ogio will travel to Buckingham Palace next week to present his credentials to the Queen as her representative in PNG.– Nationalpic by EKAR KEAPU

By ISAAC NICHOLAS

MICHAEL Ogio was sworn into office as the ninth governor-general of Papua New Guinea in a colourful ceremony at parliament house last Friday, The National reports.

Ogio made his entry to the front of parliament to a guard of honour by the PNG Defence Force with the combined band from the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary and Correctional Services pipes and drums.

His arrival followed that of PNGDF Commander Francis Agwi, acting Speaker Francis Marus and wife, Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia, Opposition leader Sir Mekere Morauta and Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare.

The dignitaries were invited to the Speakers Lounge before being led to the parliament chambers.

The chief justice was then invited by the acting speaker into the chambers to conduct the swearing-in ceremony.

Vice-regal elect Ogio was then invited into the chambers where he placed his hand on a Bible to take his oath of allegiance, declaration of loyalty and declaration of office.

Immediately after his swearing-in Parliament Speaker Jeffrey Nape, who had been acting GG until Friday, took up his chair in the chambers.

Nape offered his congratulations and wished the new GG every success in the high office that he has been elected into.

The leader of government business then moved that parliament at his rising be adjourned to 2pm on Tuesday, May 10.

It was a snap session for the swearing- in that took about 30 minutes to end for parliament to go into recess for two months.

Conspicuous by their absence was a large number of Opposition MPs.

All the invited guest and dignitaries, including heads of diplomatic missions, were then invited to the State Function room where they offered congratulations to Ogio as the 9th Governor-General of PNG.

Ogio will be travelling to Buckingham Palace next week to present his credentials to Queen Elizabeth II as her representative in PNG.

The ceremony went ahead without any hitch after attempts to block the swearing-in was thrown out by the Supreme Court last Thursday.

The Supreme Court dismissed the appeal by Ronald Rimbao to prevent the swearing-in ceremony after it was found that the appellant had no legally arguable case and that the court was satisfied that there was an abuse of process by the appellant.