Peter O'Neill

O’Neill addressed the House this morning, saying he had handed in his resignation to the Governor General Grand Chief Sir Bob Dadae at 9:45am.

The Speaker of Parliament, Job Pomat, confirmed this with a letter in his hand, from the office of the Governor General.

“I have a letter from the Governor General acknowledging receipt of the Prime Minister’s resignation. The Prime Minister’s seat is now vacant.”

The office of the Governor General also confirmed that they did receive O’Neill’s letter of resignation, and have in writing to the Speaker, acknowledged it.

Sir Arnold clarified that under Section 146 of the constitution, the resignation will only be effective, once it is sent in writing to the Head of State of Papua New Guinea, who is the Governor General.

Sir Arnold added that the announcement by O’Neill to step down on Sunday was not effective.

O'Neill made the announcment today and handed over the leadership to Sir Julius Chan.

O'Neill, when making the announcement today at the Crown Hotel said the recent movement of MPs calls for a change in government.

He said that despite this, the People's National Congress still remains the largest party in the government.

More to come on Loop PNG and TVWan News tonight.

Acting Parliamentary Counsel Richard Whitchurch explained this is because the Private Business Committee that screens all private business motions did not sit on Wednesday last week, because parliament was adjourned. The Committee only meets when parliament meets or convenes.

The Committee is chaired by Speaker Job Pomat, the Deputy Speaker and five other elected Members who are not ministers.

The Prime Minister has advised that he will not make a statement until he receives an official letter from Marape.

O'Neill said this following formalities of the launching of the Boluminski Highway in New Ireland Province.

Finance Secretary Dr Ken Ngangan is also in New Ireland Province.

He could not be reached for comment.

The Five Year Plan was launched last night by Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and National Planning and Monitoring Minister, Richard Maru, in a gala event in Port Moresby.

Witnessed by VIPs from the public and private sector, diplomatic corp, government, and special interest groups, the  MTDP III Plan is said to be the most bild and ambitious plan the government will undertake.

Minister for National Planning and Monitoring, Richard Maru said in a nutshell the plan Inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

PM O'Neill said the redevelopment of Era Kone is part of the many key developments happening around the country.

He said the country has seen ups and downs over the last 42 years, adding Era Kone and all other infrastructural and physical development are to make up for the lost years.

Prime Minister O'Neill further states Port Moresby is the 5th largest city and continues to be transformed.

The new look Era Kone was described as a great achievement, setting a bench mark for the country.

PM Peter O’Neill was responding to queries raised by North Bougainville MP, Lauta Atoi, who cited a K437 million commitment made by the PNG Government last December, for infrastructure projects.

The Prime Minister told parliament he did not recall a K437 million commitment made in December 2017, but was aware of the ongoing projects that the North Bougainville MP was referring to.

These projects came under the K500 million commitment under the Special Intervention Fund, which was signed off in 2010.

He Kai has been continuously allowed into the country, despite being convicted by PNG courts for a number of crimes including theft, grievous bodily harm and possession of illegal firearms.

Ijivitari MP, Richard Masere, raised the issues in parliament on Friday, asking the Prime Minister to deal with the matter.

After commending the Prime Minister for directing the cancellation of a passport and APEC card issued to alleged fugitive Djoko Tjandra, the Ijivitari MP asked the PM how he intended to deal with the re-entry of transnational criminal Kevin He Kai.

Welcoming the Governor and the other two MPs, Maprik MP, John Simon and Usino-Bundi MP, Jimmy Uguro, Prime Minister, Peter O’Neill, said their move to the government shows that the Government is intact and stable.

In a small ceremony this afternoon at the Sir Manasupe Haus in Port Moresby,  the Prime Ministersaid the MPs move shows that PNC led government is intact and confident to remain in power for the remaining parliament terms.