John Kaupa

North-East Member and Minister for Urbanisation and Housing, John Kaupa, has taken his Urbanisation Office to task in negotiation for the conversion of customary land into proper suburb for residents in his electorate.

The Minister and his executive director, Max Keo, along with some senior officers from the urbanisation office visited a site behind ATS to meet with Moiha clan leaders for the development of the area.

He said his decision to join the camp was not his own but he had discussed it with his people.

Kaupa added that Moresby North-east has been neglected for the past 5 years because of leaders not working together.

He said he will be working very closely with NCD Governor Powes Parkop and Moresby South MP Justin Tkatchenko to bring tangible service to the electorate.

Kaupa added that the reason for leaving PNG National Party was to work along with Governor Parkop and to develop the electorate.

Kaupa took over the mandate from Labi Amaiu who was a PNC MP.

Accompanying him this afternoon from Port Moresby are Wapenamanda MP Rimbink Pato, NCD Governor Powes Parkop and newly elected MP for Moresby North-east John Kaupa.

The arrival of these four members now bring the total to 50 MPs currently in the Alotau camp.

Meantime, the incumbent Prime Minister and Ilaibu Pangia member re-elect, Peter O’Neill will be arriving with other MPs this evening as well.

Loop PNG will be bringing you all the updates straight from Alotau.

Excited but drunk supporters of the new Moresby North-East member-elect got themselves into a fight earlier today, disrupting traffic in the Six-Mile area.

NCD Superintendent for Operations, Fred Tundu, confirmed with Loop PNG that the fight erupted among Kaupa's supporters who got drunk in the early hours of the morning following the declaration.

Tundu also said most shops at Six-Mile, especially the line of stores past the Catholic Church, have closed their doors as some supporters had attempted to loot them.

John Kaupa was declared tonight at 10:25pm after the 47th exclusive count at the Sir John Guise indoor complex.

He has ousted sitting candidate, Labi Amaiu.

Kaupa polled after the 47th exclusive count a total number of 17, 218 votes, surpassing the absolute majority of 16, 479.

Running second to the newly declared candidate member elect is Carl Okuk who polled 15, 737 votes.

Kaupa signed his writs in front of the returning officer and his assistant as well as counting and polling officials at the venue.