Moresby North-West MP

Samuel is member-elect

At 2.30 this afternoon, after the 39th exclusion, the Motu Koitabuan topped the tally with 25,185 votes. 

Samuel’s total progressive votes bypassed the absolute majority of 23,249 votes.

Candidate Joe Tonde finished in second place with 12,201 votes and in third place was Dr. Thaddeus Kambanei with 9,116 votes. 

The signing of the writs is currently underway. 

PM responds to APEC cost query

He was asked by Moresby North-West MP, Sir Mekere Morauta, to clarify the extravagant spending and huge cost of hosting APEC last November, which the Opposition claimed was about K5 billion.

In response, the PM said: “How in the world would we be spending K5 billion when our own annual budget is around K11 or K12 billion?

“He’s just ridiculous, Mr Speaker. Ridiculous. Very unbecoming of leaders to just suggest and make up stories,” said O’Neill amidst loud protests from the Opposition.

Morauta concerned with APEC preparations cost

Sir Mekere claimed that billions of kina have been spent directly and indirectly in preparing for the APEC Summit in November in Port Moresby.

Sir Mekere, when raising concerns during Parliament today, described the Government’s spending as unnecessary.

He added that the nation and the people are on high expectation of the immediate and long term benefits to be unleashed beginning in November during the APEC Summit.

He further described the people’s expectations as ‘king tide prosperity’ that will drown out the nation’s sorrow and improve our economy.

Sir Mekere queries PM on loan arrangements

This will allow local companies to bid for infrastructure projects funded through loan financing.

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said this in Parliament yesterday afternoon.

The Prime Minister made the statement when questioned by Moresby North-West MP, Sir Mekere Morauta, about the loan arrangements with the Chinese Government.

Sir Mekere asked the Prime Minister how much debt has the Government accrued through loans with the Chinese Government.

Work on Tokarara recreational land halted

National Capital District (NCD) Governor Powes Parkop has given his word.

Parkop said the NCD Physical Planning Board has deferred approval for Kumul Training Institute (KTI) to re-zone Section 227, Allotment 100, Hohola (Tokarara) “to allow further community input”.

His swift response followed a letter from former prime minister and Moresby North-West MP, Sir Mekere Morauta, who personally delivered a signed petition on Tuesday (Nov 21) by Tokarara residents against the 150 x 90 metre gazetted public recreational reserve area.