Nipa Kutubu MP

"With the greatest respect to all of you; the spur of the moment comment by Minister JT was careless and wrong; and happened at a time when we have days before the leaders of two of the world’s greatest economies are coming. 

“Let’s also appreciate that the words were aimed at those who were cyber bullying his daughter; but we in government caucus also felt offended that a national leader should never utter such words. As a result both the good Minister and PM have apologized. 

This is in preparation for the swearing - in of the provinces, Provincial Assembly council members.

Meantime, the Prime Minister, Peter O'Neill, is expected to arrive today as well to be sworn-in.

Other members of the Assembly include Governor, William Powi, Imbonggu MP, Pila Ninigi, Mendi MP, Michael Nali, Nipa Kutubu MP, Jeffrey Komal and Kagua Erave MP, Wesley Raminai.

Meanwhile, police are maintaining road checks and can be observed to be checking vehicles driving into and out of Mendi.

More updates to come.