Prime Minister O'neill dismisses speculations and says PNC intact

Prime Minister Peter O'neill says his  Peoples National Congress Party is intact and will lead the party and the government to the 2017 General Elections. He was responding  while dismissing  rumours and speculations that he will step aside as Prime Minister to answer  to allegations levelled against him and acting Prime Minister will be appointed to run the government until the Prime Ministers clears his name.

O’neill says "These are desperate people wanting to cause uncertainty and instability for the country," he said. "The PNC caucus meets every Monday before every session to plan the agenda and business for the parliament." Parliament will resume next week Tuesday. Prime Minister O’Neill also denied that the PNC Party caucus was in a meeting yesterday morning.

The PM also spoke about the allegations against him and a couple of senior parliamentarians that are currently under investigations and before the courts in relation to an alleged payment to a law firm.

"There is no reason for anyone’s arrest. The Paraka case was initiated by me and there is no evidence of any wrongdoing by me," Mr O’Neill said. "I am very very confident that I have done nothing wrong or received any benefit from anyone to be concerned. I will see that this is concluded independently by government agencies."

Meanwhile, two senior PNC Party members, Health Minister Michael Malabag and Finance Minister James Marape, have backed the Prime Minister’s denial of any PNC meeting yesterday.

 Mr Malabag, the former union leader boss and staunch PNC supporter said the Party stands behind the leader and support him to lead the Party to the 2017 general elections.

 "Through the PNC led coalition government is ensuring that services are reaching our people and that these services are visible for all. The doomsayers and critics should stop misleading the people and let the government perform its responsibilities to serve the people," he said.

The party has now been boosted with Mendi MP De Kevanu, who has left the Triumph Heritage Empowerment (THE) Party of Don Polye, to join the PNC under the leadership of Mr O’Neill.

 The recent movement of MPs has now bumped the PNG party’s strength to 50 MPs, just six short of a simple majority of 56 members in the 111 member House. Prime Minister O’Neill, who is now comfortable with the record support from his own PNC Party and coalition partners, yesterday blasted what he termed as desperate people trying to create uncertainty and instability for the country.

PNG Today/ Post Courier